From wayneg@mail.snider.net Sat Sep 28 22:35:07 1996 Date: Wed, 25 Sep 1996 17:37:02 -0500 From: Wayne Greeson Reply-To: garyslist@creature.tn.org To: Multiple recipients of list Subject: Re: Wine (fwd) At 02:53 PM 9/25/96 -0500, you wrote: . . . >To: garyslist@creature.tn.org >Subject: Wine > >Does anyone have any information on the "wine" Jesus made at the >marriage feast in John 2. > >Was it alcoholic or not?? > >Any help appreciated From Water To Wine John 2:1-11 Introduction-"And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there: And both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage" (Jn. 2:1-2). And so begins the account by John of Jesus' first miracle. Sadly, the account of this miracle has been reduced by many to a mere proof-text for their assertion that drinking alcohol is approved of by God. John included this miracle for a far higher purpose. I. From Jordan To Cana A. The events recorded by the apostle John in John 1:19-2:11 all occurred within one week. 1. The only other week of which more about the life of Christ is revealed is the week immediately before his crucifixion. 2. This week recorded by John began the day the delegation from Jerusalem questioned John the Baptist (Jn. 1:19-28). a. The second day, John the Baptist saw Jesus along the Jordan and declared him as the Lamb of God to those present (Jn. 1:29-34). b. The third day, John the Baptist saw and declared Jesus to Andrew and John who immediately followed and listened to Jesus and then brought their brothers, Simon Peter and James to Jesus (Jn. 1:35-42). c. Jesus and his new disciples set out for Galilee the fourth day and Jesus picked two more disciples on the journey, Philip and Nathanael (Jn. 1:43-51). d. Three days later, Jesus, his mother Mary and his disciples are present at a wedding feast in Cana of Galilee. B. Once Jesus had gained a nucleus of disciples he moved to confirm their faith in him and establish them as his followers. 1. Jesus and his disciples traveled from the banks of the Jordan to the marriage feast at Cana. 2. There are two possible locations for the town of Cana, one site is located about 3 1/2 miles northeast of Nazareth and second site is 12 miles north of Nazareth. C. It is possible that Jesus and his band of disciples traveled from Bethany beyond Jordan into Galilee to Jesus' hometown of Nazareth, then traveled north to Cana for the wedding feast along with Mary. D. Cana was Nathanael's hometown (Jn. 21:2) so the invitation to the feast may have been through him or possibly through Mary which would explain her presence at the wedding. E. Since Joseph is not mentioned here, at this family occasion, it is very likely that Joseph had died sometime between Jesus' twelfth and thirtieth year. II. From Fasting to Feasting A. A wedding was a joyous and festive occasion for the Jews. 1. It almost seems strange that not long after a forty day fast in the wilderness that Jesus would participate with his disciples in a feast, yet Jesus' presence at the feast had as much, albeit different, purpose as his fasting. 2. While the fasting was in isolation for prayer and temptation, his feasting was with his disciples and gave him opportunity to confirm their faith in him by a miraculous display of his power. B. Just as Jesus spent time in the desert alone fasting and in prayer, he also spent time with family and friends feasting and in celebration. 1. Jesus presence at the wedding feast not only confirms God's approval of marriage, (as many wedding ceremonies are wont to point out), but God's approval of joyous feasts and celebrations. 2. Solomon teaches us "To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven . . ." (Eccl. 3:1). 3. Jesus' example teaches us there is a time to fast and a time to feast. We need to have the wisdom to know when those times are. C. In a Jewish wedding of that day . . 1. The evening of the marriage the bride could be led from her parents' home to her husband's home by the "friends of the bridegroom." 2. The wedding procession would carry torches and lamps, myrtle branches and chaplets of flowers and be accompanied by music. 3. When the veiled bride arrived at her new husband's house, a formula would be pronounced, legal documents would be signed and then a feast would be held that would last from a day to a week. 4. During this feast food, drink and entertainment would be provided and overseen by one man called the "governor of the feast." III. From Wedding Guest to Worker of Miracles A. A problem arose at the wedding feast, the wine ran out before the conclusion of the feast. 1. This could have been caused by any number of factors but the result would have been a serious breach of hospitality had not Jesus been present. 2. Mary knew the wine had failed and conveyed that news to Jesus with the words, "They have no wine." 3. Her words imply an anticipation that Jesus would perform a miracle to alleviate the problem. 4. The answer of Jesus recognizes that he understood that she was requesting a miracle and even more a public revelation of his identity. B. Mary had grounds to expect the miraculous from Jesus. 1. She had treasured in her heart the miraculous events surrounding Jesus' conception, birth and visit to Jerusalem in his twelfth year. 2. Now that Jesus had gained a small group of disciples, Mary appears over eager for Jesus to publicly declare himself. C. Jesus' response to Mary, "Woman, what have I to do with thee? Mine hour is not yet come." 1. This sounds like a rude rebuke in our language. 2. Actually the term "woman" was not a term of disrespect but respect and was the same term that Jesus used to address Mary from the cross. 3. "When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son!" (Jn. 19:26). D. The question "What have I to do with thee?" was idiomatic for the thought "What do we have in common on this subject?" 1. In other words, Jesus was indirectly and gently rebuking Mary for her attempt to direct his public revelation of his identity. 2. He explained to her that not only was her attempt wrong but the time for the full revelation of his glory and identity was yet in the future, "mine hour is not yet come." 3. Not until the cross did Jesus profess "The hour has come" a. "And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified" (Jn. 12:23). b. "These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee" (Jn. 17:1). E. Mary's reaction indicates that she understood that Jesus had not denied that he would perform a miracle, but that he had told her not to attempt to dictate his revelation which was yet in the future. 1. Mary told the servants at the feast to follow any instructions Jesus would give. 2. In the house where the feast was being held sat six stone water-pots. a. The purpose of these pots was for the custom of washings enjoined the oral law of the Pharisees which included the washing of hands before and after a meal and the washing of cups, vessels and even articles of furniture (Mt. 15:2; Mk. 7:3-4; Lk. 11:39). b. The measurement of a "firkin" is uncertain but is regarded as equivalent to the Hebrew "bath" which was about nine gallons, thus the total capacity of all the water-pots was between 108 to 162 gallons. F. Jesus instructed the household servants to fill the six water-pots with water. 1. The servants carried out his command with such zeal as to fill the pots to their very brims. 2. There could be no mistake as to the liquid contained in these large pots, nor any sleight of hand. a. The size and weight of each stone pot to carry between nine and eighteen gallons probably could not be moved by one man. b. Nor could over 100 gallons of water be replaced by wine by the trick of one man in the very presence of several servants and disciples. G. Jesus then commanded the servants to take some fluid from one of the large water-pots in a smaller serving pitcher and serve it to the one in charge of the feast. 1. The servants knowing that they had just filled the pots with water continued to follow the instructions of Jesus and served the governor of the feast the water that was now changed into wine. 2. The ruler not knowing where the wine came from, called the bridegroom and questioned him concerning the wine. a. The governor indicated that the usual custom at feasts was to serve the better wine first when the guests' taste was sharp and then latter to serve a poorer grade of wine after the drinking and eating had dulled everyone's taste, yet the governor wanted to know why the bridegroom had the better wine served after the poorer grade of wine. b. Thus the apostle John provides testimony from one who was totally unaware of that the source of his "better" wine was the result of a miracle by Jesus of Nazareth. IV. From Innocent Water to Intoxicating Wine? A. Was the wine Jesus produced intoxicating? 1. If so, why does God condemn drinking through his Word and then Jesus' first miracle water is turned into wine for a wedding feast? 2. Many try to use this miracle as justification or approval of drinking intoxicating beverages. B. There is no doubt that God condemns "strong drink." 1. "Wine is a mocker, intoxicating drink arouses brawling, and whoever is led astray by it is not wise" (Prov. 20:1). 2. "(7) But they also have erred through wine, and through strong drink are out of the way; the priest and the prophet have erred through strong drink, they are swallowed up of wine, they are out of the way through strong drink; they err in vision, they stumble in judgment. (8) For all tables are full of vomit and filthiness, so that there is no place clean" (Isa. 28:7). 3. "Do not mix with winebibbers . . ." (Prov. 23:20). 4. "Do not look on the wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup, when it swirls around smoothly; at the last it bites like a serpent, and stings like an viper. Your eyes will see strange things, and your heart will utter perverse things . . ." (Prov. 23:31-33). C. Likewise the New Testament is full of warnings. 1. Paul says "drunkenness, revelries, and the like . . . those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God" (Gal. 5:21). 2. Christians are to "walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness . . ." (Rom. 13:13). 3. Paul even instructs Christians not to associate with drunkards (1 Cor. 5:11). 4. And Peter reminds us that "drunkenness, revelries (and) drinking parties" are no longer part of a Christians life (1 Pet. 4:3). 5. So, why did Jesus change water into wine? D. The explanation lies in understanding the translation of the word "wine" from both Hebrew and Greek. 1. The Hebrew and Greek words for "wine" simply refer to the juice of the grape without necessarily indicating the fermented juice. a. In Isaiah 65:8, juice still in the grape is called wine. "Thus saith the LORD, As the new wine is found in the cluster, and one saith, Destroy it not; for a blessing is in it: so will I do for my servants' sakes, that I may not destroy them all" (Isa. 65:8). b. The ancients often would drink the "wine" of a fruit by squeezing the fruit directly into their drinking cup. Pharaoh's butler tells us that this was his job for the Pharaoh. "(9) And the chief butler told his dream to Joseph, and said to him, In my dream, behold, a vine was before me; (10) And in the vine were three branches: and it was as though it budded, and her blossoms shot forth; and the clusters thereof brought forth ripe grapes: (11) And Pharaoh's cup was in my hand: and I took the grapes, and pressed them into Pharaoh's cup, and I gave the cup into Pharaoh's hand" (Gen. 40:9-11). c. Only by direct reference such as the term "strong drink" or by the context can it be determined whether fresh grape juice or fermented juice is considered. 2. Even the fermented wine had an alcohol content of no more than seven to ten percent because the yeast cells are killed and the fermentation stops when the alcoholic content reaches this level. a. Even then the fermented wine was diluted considerably with water in a ratio of three or four parts water to one part wine, thus making the percentage of alcohol no more than two percent. b. The Roman, Plutarch noted this dilution when he wrote, "We call a mixture wine', although the larger of the components is water." c. Roman authors, Pliny, Plutarch and Horace identify "good wine" or the "best wine" as wine which was "harmless" or "innocent." Thus, it is not to be assumed that the ancients considered the better wine as the stronger wine. E. In light of the rest of the Scriptures and the knowledge of the word "wine", it is not likely that the "wine" miraculously produced by Jesus was intoxicating. 1. For Jesus to produce an intoxicating beverage, it would have been inconsistent with the warnings throughout God's Word and inconsistent with the very character of Christ. 2. Thus, Jesus' miracle cannot be used as a stamp of approval or justification for drinking alcohol. Conclusion-As an explanation of the purpose of the event, John declares that this was the beginning of his miracles and it carried a two-fold purpose. "This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him" (Jn. 2:11). First, the miracle revealed or manifested his glory. The nature of this manifestation was not public but reserved for the benefit of his disciples who were with him on this occasion. The miracle showed and confirmed to Jesus' disciples that Jesus indeed was from God as only the power of God could have performed the miracle they witnessed. The second purpose of the miracle followed the first, John says "his disciples believed on him." The six men with Jesus knew he was the Messiah, now they had seen it confirmed with their own eyes through the miracle they had just witnessed. Too many spend their time trying to assert that Jesus was a bartender to a drunken wedding feast that they fail to see the true power and miracle of God. At the conclusion of his gospel account, John explained why he described this and other miracles of Jesus, "(30) And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: (31) But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name" (Jn. 20:30-31). Wayne Greeson wayneg@mail.snider.net 102 Oxford Cove Jacksonville, AR 72076 1 (501) 985-3012 "The church I belong to is torn in a fierce dispute. One section says that baptism is *in* the name of the Father, and the other that it is *into* the name of the Father. I belong to one of these parties. I feel most strongly about it. I would die for it in fact--but I forget which it is!" --David Lloyd-George