Wine, Wisdom, and Walking with Jesus
“When the master of the feast tasted the water now become wine, and did not know where it came from… the master of the feast called the bridegroom and said to him, ‘Everyone serves the good wine first… But you have kept the good wine until now.’ This, the first of His signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested His glory. And His disciples believed in Him.”
John 2:9-11
The first miracle Jesus chose to perform wasn’t raising the dead, calming a storm, or healing the sick. It was quietly turning water into wine at a wedding. This was no small thing for those in attendance…running out of wine would have been a deep embarrassment to the family hosting the feast. But in His kindness, Jesus stepped in to provide.
This moment, however, also forces us to face a tension. Jesus made wine, served wine, and approved the drinking of wine. For some of us, that’s hard to process. Maybe we have painful memories tied to alcohol…addiction, abuse, broken relationships, or tragedy. For others, it’s just a topic that’s been clouded by personal preference, church culture, or family history.
The challenge is this: Will we let Scripture shape our beliefs, or will we shape our beliefs and then try to fit Scripture into them?
The Bible is honest about alcohol. It calls wine a gift from God that can bring gladness to the heart (Psalm 104:14-15), yet it also warns of its dangers (Proverbs 20:1) and firmly prohibits drunkenness (Ephesians 5:18). Like many of God’s good gifts, it can be used in ways that honor Him or in ways that harm ourselves and others.
The real issue isn’t simply whether we drink or not, it’s whether we approach this area of life with the same posture Jesus calls us to in all areas: humility, self-control, love for others, and submission to His Lordship.
For some, that will mean abstaining completely, out of wisdom or love for someone else. For others, it will mean enjoying with moderation, gratitude, and a clear conscience before God. In both cases, the decision is made in faith, not fear, and without judgment toward those who choose differently.
At Cana, Jesus didn’t just make wine, He revealed His glory. The miracle wasn’t about alcohol as much as it was about the One who can take what is ordinary and transform it into something extraordinary. That’s what He’s still doing in our lives.
Today, whether it’s your convictions about wine or any other gray area in the Christian life, let Jesus lead. Let His Word shape you. Let His Spirit guide you. And whatever you do, do it in a way that makes much of Him.
John 2:9-11
The first miracle Jesus chose to perform wasn’t raising the dead, calming a storm, or healing the sick. It was quietly turning water into wine at a wedding. This was no small thing for those in attendance…running out of wine would have been a deep embarrassment to the family hosting the feast. But in His kindness, Jesus stepped in to provide.
This moment, however, also forces us to face a tension. Jesus made wine, served wine, and approved the drinking of wine. For some of us, that’s hard to process. Maybe we have painful memories tied to alcohol…addiction, abuse, broken relationships, or tragedy. For others, it’s just a topic that’s been clouded by personal preference, church culture, or family history.
The challenge is this: Will we let Scripture shape our beliefs, or will we shape our beliefs and then try to fit Scripture into them?
The Bible is honest about alcohol. It calls wine a gift from God that can bring gladness to the heart (Psalm 104:14-15), yet it also warns of its dangers (Proverbs 20:1) and firmly prohibits drunkenness (Ephesians 5:18). Like many of God’s good gifts, it can be used in ways that honor Him or in ways that harm ourselves and others.
The real issue isn’t simply whether we drink or not, it’s whether we approach this area of life with the same posture Jesus calls us to in all areas: humility, self-control, love for others, and submission to His Lordship.
For some, that will mean abstaining completely, out of wisdom or love for someone else. For others, it will mean enjoying with moderation, gratitude, and a clear conscience before God. In both cases, the decision is made in faith, not fear, and without judgment toward those who choose differently.
At Cana, Jesus didn’t just make wine, He revealed His glory. The miracle wasn’t about alcohol as much as it was about the One who can take what is ordinary and transform it into something extraordinary. That’s what He’s still doing in our lives.
Today, whether it’s your convictions about wine or any other gray area in the Christian life, let Jesus lead. Let His Word shape you. Let His Spirit guide you. And whatever you do, do it in a way that makes much of Him.
Posted in The Word Made Flesh
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