Water to Wine

10/10/2003

Hi, Got another question for ya. After watching the “Jesus” movie and reading the account in detail regarding the time He turned water into wine I was wondering why he did that. Up until now I just was impressed with the miracle itself and didn’t think much about what He was actually doing or why. And why did He go to a wedding where there was drinking? Was drinking back then different than what it is today? What do you think His thoughts and motives were behind all that?—c

Beyond question “drinking was different” then. First of all, the water was FILTHY. “Drink a little wine—it’s good for your stomach” was a MEDICAL thought offered from Paul to Timothy. For the STOMACH, not for inebriation. Thus the dilemma, like slavery. Should we condone slavery? There is more basis for condoning slavery than there is for condoning “wine” today. It was VERY low “alcohol content” say historians. It was somewhat sterile, by definition, unlike the water of the day. It was not “Party Hearty” the way it is today, by any stretch. It was NOT for “entertainment” and “vice”—though evil men even then abused it. Aspirin isn’t INHERENTLY wrong, but what if people could get a buzz from it (instead of stomach ulcers)? We would then have a dilemma, wouldn’t we. Medical purposes, utilitarian purposes…but the possibility of SIN and abuse, for selfish indulgence—which is ALWAYS sin. Perhaps that’s not so different than clothing, golf, healthfood, and many other things, eh?