In last week’s article I discussed “Did Jesus Turn Water To Wine.” The question had reference to alcoholic beverage. As discussed last week, the context of the passage shows that Jesus did not make alcoholic beverage. We also discussed the moral and ethical problems we are faced with if we force deity into producing something that is clearly warned against in the scriptures. Finally, we showed that sin is opposed to the nature of God. However, there are a few other things we should mention in relation to the miracle at Cana.
Many who advocate Jesus turned water to wine believe there were inadequate methods to preserve grape juice, therefore, the wine previously served at the wedding and the wine Jesus made would have been alcoholic. This argument is filled with supposition and falsehood. The first century Jews had several methods of preserving grape juice. In his book “Bible Wines,” William Patton discusses no less than four methods that the Jews had at their disposal for preserving grape juice. One option would have been to keep air completely excluded from the juice; this method is still in use today. In his book, “Studies in the Life of Christ,” R.C. Foster wrote about a Greek ship from the 2nd century B.C. which had sunk off the coast of France. On this ship they found wine flasks sealed so securely that after 2000 years the seawater had not yet seeped into the flasks. All this helps us to see that the wine Jesus made was not alcoholic.
Why did the miracle at Cana occur and what was it? In the miracle at Cana, Jesus surpassed or exceeded the time and the natural process that it takes to produce and harvest grape juice. The process which normally takes months, Jesus performed in a single moment. Certainly the miracle was to show the power of God and to confirm Jesus’ claims about himself. If we are honest with ourselves and the Holy Scriptures it is easy to conclude that Jesus did not make intoxicating wine at the marriage feast in Cana of Galilee. Yes, Jesus turned water into wine; however it must have been non-alcoholic.
Consider how many homes alcohol has broken, how many injuries it has contributed to, how many children have suffered as a result of its use. It is beyond belief that the Son of God, our dear Lord and Savior, would have any part of such a destructive and vile substance. The idea that Jesus would have a part in producing such a product would defile His perfect nature and prevent Him from being the Savior of the world.
There are many who desire to use alcohol in a social setting and desiring to justify its use by claiming Jesus had a part in its production. However, before we make such a claim we should remember that alcohol has victimized millions of individuals throughout history. Yes, there are so-called preachers and Christians who cowardly step aside when it comes to the issue of alcohol. We must never turn our backs on our God, our society, and our children. Mankind’s ability to do so has led us to the current situation we have in America today. Our America is a nation where rich, poor, young, old, male, female and people from every sector are negatively affected by alcohol use. We can repair the corruption, shame and disgrace that strong drink has brought upon our lives by fleeing Satan’s tool, alcohol, and turning to God.
(Tony Hoss is minister at Centerview Church of Christ, Elizabethton. He can be contacted at 423-737-2287; e-mail: CenterviewCOC@comcast.net)