New Wine
I’m glad James wrote this chapter because frankly this parable has always been a source of mystery to me. I think each time I read it and study it and just allow the words to ‘soak me’ I gain one more seed of wisdom about Jesus.
My favorite part of the chapter (speaking as a wife and a romantic) is when Jesus takes Alon aside and whispers: “Treat her like a queen, my friend. Love her as Yahweh loves Israel. Love her as Yahweh (YHWH) loves you.” I love that he used that name for God, which holds so much meaning.
I have always struggled with why the wine was so important. I mean, I think I understand, culturally, the importance of this celebratory wine, but to include it as a Biblical miracle? I don’t get it.
To make matters worse, being raise in a Baptist church we never discussed this miracle…because of course, Baptists’ don’t drink alcohol. LOL. When I think wine at weddings, I think ‘fraternity drinking’ and drunkenness. Surprisingly I did have a bar at my wedding, and some drank too much. Somehow, my mind cannot compute Jesus drinking wine just to celebrate.
Is the importance that he valued this celebration and these people enough (and his own mother) that he would perform this miracle, or is it that it was not just wine, but really GOOD wine? Help me understand, oh sages of Chapter Chat. I’m looking forward to reading others’ input.
My favorite part of the chapter (speaking as a wife and a romantic) is when Jesus takes Alon aside and whispers: “Treat her like a queen, my friend. Love her as Yahweh loves Israel. Love her as Yahweh (YHWH) loves you.” I love that he used that name for God, which holds so much meaning.
I have always struggled with why the wine was so important. I mean, I think I understand, culturally, the importance of this celebratory wine, but to include it as a Biblical miracle? I don’t get it.
To make matters worse, being raise in a Baptist church we never discussed this miracle…because of course, Baptists’ don’t drink alcohol. LOL. When I think wine at weddings, I think ‘fraternity drinking’ and drunkenness. Surprisingly I did have a bar at my wedding, and some drank too much. Somehow, my mind cannot compute Jesus drinking wine just to celebrate.
Is the importance that he valued this celebration and these people enough (and his own mother) that he would perform this miracle, or is it that it was not just wine, but really GOOD wine? Help me understand, oh sages of Chapter Chat. I’m looking forward to reading others’ input.
posted by kpjara at
7:14 AM
8 Comments:
If I remember right (Claire, feel free to straighten me out!) the big deal was that this was the first time Jesus performed a miracle where others could witness it. The disciples saw him do it. The bride's father didn't see it but he knew it happened. Jesus was proclaiming His coming ministry by doing this in public where others could witness it.
The reason it was important that it was wine was because it marks the beginning of his ministry with wine and then He ends His ministry with wine (The Last Supper.) It is the symbolism of the beginning and the end of His 3-yr. ministry.
At least that's what I remember from when Claire explained it to me!
By
HeyJules, at 9:55 AM
That definitely helps! It also makes me wonder about the significance of the wine for both the 'wedding' and the more somber Last Supper.
By
kpjara, at 10:03 AM
I think it is hard to appreciate the symbolism and importance of wine in our culture where alcohol has been so abused and caused so much pain.
I have a hard time thinking of Jesus drinking at a party...the way we think of drinking at a party. It just doesn't jive with who He is.
And yet, I do know that other cultures view wine very differently and many people drink without excess.
It just occurred to me that maybe if we drank wine instead of coke, we'd be much better off :-)
By
Andrea, at 10:46 AM
Yes, I used to get hung up on the wine thing, too...especially since it does talk about not overindulging in the Bible but then I remembered that back then, water didn't have a $20 million purification system and fermenting grapes into wine was probably WAY more sanitary to drink.
You also have to remember that drinking and celebrating back then was their entertainment. Weddings could go on for DAYS so you have to assume somebody was drinking at a pretty good clip! Regardless, I think Andrea is right - they didn't go around drinking to avoid their problems...they did it for celebratory practices and that puts a whole other spin on things.
By
HeyJules, at 11:59 AM
Our Lord's first miracle was not a spectacular evernt that everybody witnessed. Mary, the disciples, and the servants knew what had happened; but nobody else at the feast had any idea that a miracle had taken place. I find it interesting that His first miracle was a quiet event at a wedding in contrast to His last miracle (John 11).
For me, I find in the Scriptures, wine is a symbol of joy. (Judges 9:13; Pslam 104:15) The world offers us the best at the first, and then, once we are "hooked," things start to get worse. But Jesus continues to offer that which is best until we one day enjoy the finest blessings in the eternal kingdom.
I also see in the Old Testament, the nation of Israel is pictured as "married" to God and unfaithful to her marriage covenant (Isa. 54:5; Jer. 31:32; Hosea 2:2ff). The wine ran out, and all Israel had left were six empty waterpots! They held water for external washings, but they could provide nothing for internal cleaning and joy. In this miracle, our Lord brought fullness where there was emptiness, joy where there was disappointment, and something internal for that which was only external .
By
Pilot Mom, at 5:34 PM
Also, one other thing...I just find stuff like this really interesting...but Moses' first miracle was a plague---turning water into blood (Ex. 7:19ff), which speaks of judgment. Our Lord's first miracle spoke of grace.
Also, this miracle presents a lesson in service for God. The water turned into wine because the servants cooperated with Jesus and obeyed His commands. To me, it is a picture, which appears often in John's Gospel, showing the cooperation of man and God.
I just haven't had time. Hopefully, once everyone is gone on Monday, I'll be back to my usual postings. Today was spent helping Mom in physical therapy.
By
Pilot Mom, at 5:40 PM
We know, Claire and don't worry about it. We miss you but we certainly understand. You go love on everyone and we'll get all caught up with you on Monday.
By
HeyJules, at 6:14 PM
Thank you so much for this much valued lesson!
By
kpjara, at 11:40 PM
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