Some people tell me that because Jesus turned water into wine that shows us that He approves of wine as a drink. Well does it? Let us not jump to conclusions, but look at the facts.
Fact 1: Jesus and His disciples were invited to a wedding in Cana in Galilee, and His Mother was there, so we can assume they were good friends of the family of the bride or groom. Here we need to also remember that after Jesus stayed back at the Temple when He was 12 years old, it is recorded in Luke 2:51 that he was subject unto his parents from then on (in other words He obeyed them).
Fact 2: At the wedding they had run out of wine, and that would have been an embarrassing tragedy for the families as they would want everything to go smoothly. Mary told Jesus that "they have no wine", Jesus answer "Woman, what have I to do with thee? Mine hours has not yet come" in effect, he was saying that it wasn't His problem, and He wasn't yet ready. (John 2: 4) However, he obeyed His mother when she ignored him and told the servants to do whatever He said to do. So they filled pots with water (as He said to do) and drew out the liquid, and the water had turned into good quality wine. Let us be honest: this merely proves that His mother knew His capabilities and that He was an obedient son. It says nothing about His attitude to wine, He didn't even taste it at that point.
Something else: When I was sent to an Asian country some 30 years ago, my doctor (a specialist friend in Sydney) told me not to drink the water unless it was boiled, and when I saw the hygiene in the streets with their open sewers etc... I realised why. Fortunately, they kept me supplied with freshly made tea, otherwise I would have had to either die of thirst, or drink wine which was sterilised by its alcohol content. (All that was only 30 years ago). I am quite sure that 2,000 years ago, when Jesus was traveling about, he would have been faced with a similar problem when in heavily populated areas, the people would have realised that the water made them sick, and as tea and coffee were not yet known, the drinking water was not boiled. When Jesus came to Jacob's well, out in the country, he was happy to ask a Samaritan woman for a drink of water, as that was not contaminated. However, when in a populated area, the choice was either wine or contaminated water. Yes, it is true that because of who He was he could have drunk the contaminated water and overcame the germs in it, but he seldom used his Godly-power for his own benefit, when in human company. For example, He could have always crossed the Sea of Galilee on foot, but chose to take a boat, because that way He was able to be a good example in the storm when it arose.
Another Thought: Did it worry Jesus that the people at the wedding were drinking too much? If not, why would it worry Him if people drink too much at a wedding today? Well, let me just take one possibility; after the wedding in Cana in Galilee, the people either walked home, or if they had a fair way to go, rode a donkey. Now, even if the donkey drivers were drunk and flogged the donkeys so they broke into a trot, it is unlikely they would have a serious collision on the corner of Isaiah and Moses Streets. However, even if they did, it is unlikely that one of them would have been killed and the other end up in hospital with life threatening injuries. However, after today's weddings, it is a different story; if two men who have had a lot to drink, decided to drive home and have a collision at the roundabout, at high speed, there is every likelihood that one may be killed and the other end up in hospital with life threatening injuries.
Consequently, these last two men should have observed Ephesians 5:18: "be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess, but be filled with the Spirit" In Australia, we are very fortunate to have clean water and other non-alcoholic drinks that satisfy our thirst, without impairing our judgement in any way.
Having had 70 years experience as a Christian, I am happy to discuss topics with anyone. Not to have an argument, but to clarify a point of Scripture. Tom.
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