Bible Question: touch not the wine. Did Jesus make a mistake. |
Bible Answer: Laughlin, This is a common question, and I've heard so many answers to it that it's not even funny (and some of those answers are just PLAIN funny themselves). I hear many people rationalize that Jesus didn't make wine, but grape juice (Jesus would never make wine--drinking alcohol is evil)! Wait a minute... First, let's clarify something. People seem to be under the impression that to drink alcohol is a sin. This is a mistaken assumption (though it does not give free license to be drinkers). Did you know that gluttony (overeating) is a sin? Let's understand why. Merrian-Webster's defines gluttony as: 1: excess in eating or drinking 2: greedy or excessive indulgence This definition brings to light the heart of the matter: excessive indulgence. Is it a sin to drink wine? If it is then Christ could not have saved me, be Jesus is without sin--yet He drank wine. Did he get drunk from wine or drink in excess? No. Even though Jesus Himself said that this was a claim the Pharisees would make against Him. M't:11:19: The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold a man gluttonous, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners. But wisdom is justified of her children. In short, to eat pizza is not a sin; but to eat that 20th piece in one sitting is gluttonous (you don't need it, but you continue to eat because it tastes good). This same holds true for alcohol. To drink alcohol is not the sin, but to drink in excess (which means to become drunk and lose self-control). Saying that drinking is not a sin, again, is not an endorsement to go out and drink a few beers. If you get drunk, that's sin; but if you have one drink (and you're of legal age to do so) there is no harm. Neither am I justifying anything with my answer, I almost never drink; but if I do, it's certainly in moderation and done using good judgement. There is a line, however, that you can cross in which good judgement goes out the window, and this is where sin sets in. One more pearl for you to consider if you don't want to take my word for it: 1Tm:3:8: Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre; Here, there rules for becoming a deacon in the early church were established. Pay attention to what it says about wine: "not given to much wine." Is the requirement, "must not ever drink any wine at all?" Read it again if you're unsure. Take care, -Rob |