A great contraversy exists today between Christians, and this is never good. Some cry out "My Jesus didn't drink alcoholic wine!", while other say "Jesus did indeed drink alcoholic wine.". While I am not some well known theologian, which exist in both camps, I'd like to take a shot at looking to see what the bible says about this, and I pray that you my friend are willing to do the same, and will overlook my obvious frustration.
The legalist camp point to a multitude of scripture in order to support their view. They will point out scriptures that warn us of the evil of abusing alcohol. They will point to Old Testament scriptures that command kings and priests to not drink wine or strong drink. And, even though Jesus walked this earth as a man, purposely divesting Himself of the priviliges and rank He could have commanded, they ignore that and cry "My king didn't drink alcohol!", "You make Jesus a sinner!", "Jesus didn't make drunks, drunker!", etc., etc., etc... However, they refuse to hear the scriptures and will never be able to point out where the bible commands abstinence for the average man, or, that drinking in moderation is a sin.
In reality they are commiting the same sin that they accuse others of; listening to their feelings instead of listening to the bible. I find it ironic, and admittedly humorous, that these people who are so legalistic will one day stand before God and have no excuse for their shameful disregard of the scriptures.
In 33 A.D the pharisees called Jesus a winebibber because He drank some wine now and then; and, now in 1999 A.D and beyond there are still be those who refuse to accept that He did; consider the similarities.
I don't want to give anyone the wrong idea...in some regards I will also be ashamed, fortunately not in this though. My effort here is not to simply point fingers at others, but to attempt to clear up a matter which I believe that even Jesus Himself was very clear about. In fact I'll be focusing on His own words about this...but for some people even that won't be enough.
I am sometimes accused of "being annoying and never getting to the point". In reply to this I need to say that it's extremely annoying to me when people want to jog through the scriptures, bounce off walls, and take scripture completely out of context. You all remind me of impatient teenagers on their first date. Instead of trying to prove what a track star you are, how about slowing down to where both parties can analyze the scriptures?
If you're ready, fasten your seat belt (maybe that will hold you down?) and let's go.
I truly believe that God has created the bible in such a way that any error can be rufuted by simply taking a very small portion of scripture when it is quoted in context. I have noticed several things:
1)- That Jesus never pointed to more than a couple of texts.
2)- He never needed more than that.
3)- The parisees never understood.
4)- People who preach errors almost always do cite many texts.
5)- They take great pride in the number of citations they can come up with, but;
6)- They hate it when people want to examine the context.
7)- Preferring instead to claim "a principle" which they fail to show direct application.
Also, legalists are fond of saying things like "You can't contradict a principle with a couple of verses.", or, "You can't ignore all the other verses that contradict this.". Let me remind you that:
a)- There is no "principle" with a direct relation.
(They can not show one!...they merely use the cry.)
b)- Because none exist.
c)- There is no "all those other verses" to contradict this, because, they simply
do not exist...period.
When all is said and done it boils down to just take their word for it. Notice that I said their word...not the bible's word.
With that thought in mind I want to point you to the first chapter of Matthew. In particular that portion of chapter one which deals specifically with this question, for I feel that this will tell it all. You will please note that although I will cross-reference other verses (Comparing scripture with scripture), that they will always relate directly to this portion of scripture...none of the bouncing off of walls so common with legalists who are trying to support their "standards". It is exactly this focus that they fail to understand when myself or others try to get them to slow down and examine the scriptures.
Mt 11:16-19 � But whereunto shall I liken this generation? It is like unto children sitting in the markets, and calling unto their fellows, And saying, We have piped unto you, and ye have not danced; we have mourned unto you, and ye have not lamented. For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, He hath a devil. 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.
The first thing to note is that the legalists never want to look at the context; they always want to nit-pick verse nineteen (underlined) to death but never want to examine the context by quoting this entire portion of text. When examining scripture is it not wiser to look at a little more, rather than a little less, to go a little slower rather than faster, to be more thorough rather than less thorough? Consider that the next time you feel like telling someone they're "being annoying and never getting to the point".
To begin let me say that I would appreciate it if anyone who believes that I am not being thorough enough would please email me and let me know where I fell down. You see friend, I am not going to gloss over this like a legalist would in trying to support his ban on alcohol; I am going to be as thorough as I possibly can while not simply trying to be wordy.
Although the entire bible is the Word of God, I think it important to point out that this is Jesus, speaking about Himself; mocking those who reject His message in part for such a trivial matter.
Verses sixteen (16) and seventeen (17) are:
Mt 11:16,17 � But whereunto shall I liken this generation? It is like unto children sitting in the markets, and calling unto their fellows, And saying, We have piped unto you, and ye have not danced; we have mourned unto you, and ye have not lamented.
Just like schoolchildren, and, unfortunately others, some have allowed peer pressure to rule how they will think and act. Instead of thinking for themselves, failing "the popularity test" with their friends, they have chosen to stick with the crowd and mock Him instead. Whether we're children at the playground, or adults in a church, we need to ask ourselves "What would Jesus think?". Could I possibly being lulled into the easy way out rather than coming to an unpopular but truthful decision? What's more important, my friendships, or the bible?
Verse eighteen (18) says:
Mt 11:18 For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, He hath a devil.
Here we have the first time I "compare scripture with scripture" which I am so often falsely accused of not doing.. You will notice that rather than simply throwing a bunch of similar sounding verses at you that this has a direct relationship...
Lu 1:13-16 But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John. And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth. For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb. And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God.(cf. Luke 7:31-35 , Mt. 11:16-19)
It should be obvious that concerning wine Jesus is contrasting John's actions and His own actions. Whereas it was prophecied of John that he would not touch "wine nor strong drink", Jesus specifically contrasted His actions with that of John's actions. If you claim to not see this then let me remind you that God doesn't accept "willful blindness" as an excuse.
You will notice that it does not say that this was a requirement for John to be filled with the Holy Spirit, nor to be great in the sight of the Lord, but was simply one of his characteristics.
Mt 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.
Contrasting John's actions with His own, basically what He is saying is "Damned if you do, and damned if you don't. You're just playing childish games! You're more concerned with what your friends will think of you! And, you've already made your mind up and it wouldn't make any difference what I did.".
Sound familiar?
Now, let's go on to other things. Legalists are fond of wanting to draw a contrast (remember that word?) between grape juice, new wine, and alcoholic wine. Also, they sometimes appeal to the Greek in their attempt to justify their stand. Perhaps they'll be surprised when they read how they've been fooled on these two points...???
1)- New Testament Wines
2)- The Wine Making Process (coming soon)