A long time ago, as a teenager I think, I glanced through a book called “Wine or Grape Juice?” or some such title.
I can’t really remember all it said, but I got the impression through the book that when Jesus created “wine” in Cana, he really created grape juice.
The author no doubt went through a lot of word studies and other things to prove his point.
I kind of carried that opinion for a long time until someone pointed out to me the context. What was the context?
Very simply, verse 10 where the master of the banquet tasted the wine Jesus created and proclaimed for all to hear,
Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now. (John 2:10)
Now stop a moment, and substitute the word grape juice in there and ask yourself, “Does this make sense?”
“Everyone brings out the choice grape juice first, and then the cheaper grape juice after the guests have had too much grape juice to drink; but you have saved the best grape juice till now.”
This makes no sense at all. If it was simply grape juice, there would be no alcoholic content in it. And if there was no alcoholic content in it, why would a host wait for everyone to drink too much of the best grape juice before serving the cheap stuff?
Answer: They wouldn’t.
This completely shoots down this theory in my opinion, unless someone can explain logically the meaning of this passage using grape juice.
Does Jesus then teach that it’s okay to get drunk? Of course not. Scripture clearly teaches against that.
But it doesn’t say anything about never drinking alcohol. Rather, it makes it clear that alcohol is not to control us. (Ephesians 5:18).
By the way, just to make one point clear, I don’t drink at all for two reasons. First, I don’t like the taste. Even more importantly, I don’t know what my limits are, and I have no desire to find out.
But the point I want to make here above all else is to be careful how we interpret God’s word.
The reason that many people want to believe Jesus made grape juice instead of wine is that they’re dead set against drinking of any kind.
But in trying to explain away John 2, they resort to word studies that completely ignore the context of scripture.
There are four points we should remember whenever we read scripture or hear anyone preach about it.
1. Pay attention to context. Too often, people get into trouble because they don’t. A lot of cults like the Jehovah’s Witnesses and Mormons get into trouble because of this.
2. Let the scripture speak for itself. And if it happens to contradict what you think, you should change your thinking in order to match scripture, not the reverse.
3. Understand the role of culture in scripture. Some people get a little put off by Jesus addressing his mother as “Woman” in verse 4.
(The NIV softens it to “Dear woman,” but the “Dear” is not there in the original manuscripts of scripture.)
In our culture, it’s very disrespectful. In theirs, it was very respectful.
4. Do as Mary said in this chapter.
Do whatever [Jesus] tells you. (John 2:5)
Don’t just read scripture. Don’t just listen to it. But obey it. For it is the very words of God.
If you do these things, it’ll not only save you a lot of trouble as you interpret scripture, but also as you live your life.
Moment to Moment (Bible blog) 