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Categories: ReasonTheology

Wine

Did Lord Jesus Christ Drink Wine?
Yes.

Was it alcoholic?
Yes, as implied by this verse as He Himself answers:

“the Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, Lo, a man, a glutton, and a wine-drinker, a friend of tax-gatherers and sinners, and wisdom was justified of her children.” – Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 11:19)

What does it mean?
Christ did eat food & drink wine but He was “NOT” a ‘glutton/winebibber’ as the false accusation cast upon Him says.

Likewise, just because our Lord was a friend to tax-collectors and sinners, it does NOT mean that He approved NOR partook of their “sinful deeds”.

His consumption (of food & drink) was Perfect in that He NEVER lost control due to it.

As He Himself replies, “wisdom was justified of her children” (understand His Acts correctly).

P/S:

That’s why a “little consumption of wine” (‘not indulging in much wine’) is allowed only for spiritually “lower” positions such as a deacon:

“In the same way, deacons are to be worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine, and not pursuing dishonest gain.” (1 Timothy 3:8)

For a spiritually “higher” position such as a bishop, one “cannot drink wine” at all except for the ‘exception’ clause allowed by Scripture for “medicinal or Holy Communion” only as these verses testify:

(i) Bishops cannot drink wine at all (‘not given to wine’)

“not given to wine, not a striker, not given to filthy lucre, but gentle, not contentious, not a lover of money,” (1 Timothy 3:3)

(ii) Wine allowed for medicinal reasons

“Stop drinking only water, and use a little wine because of your stomach and your frequent illnesses.” (1 Timothy 5:23)

(iii) Wine allowed for the Holy Communion or the Last Supper remembrance act for the Lord

“But I say to you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father’s kingdom.” – Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 26:29)

As apostle Paul discusses the ‘order’ in partaking of the “Lord’s Supper”, he rebukes those who consume the wine served till they became drunk (careless & wrong behaviour).

Remember, if the wine used was non-alcoholic, the issue of some of them getting “drunk” would ‘not’ exist during the “Last Supper” remembrance as discussed here:

“ye, then, coming together at the same place — it is not to eat the Lord’s supper;

for each his own supper doth take before in the eating, and one is hungry, and another is drunk;

why, have ye not houses to eat and to drink in? or the assembly of God do ye despise, and shame those not having? what may I say to you? shall I praise you in this? I do not praise!” (1 Corinthians 11:20 – 22)

(iv) For a normal believer, wine consumption & meat consumption is allowed, but “excessive consumption” is disallowed (thus, we are to avoid those who behave such too):

“Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit,” (Ephesians 5:18)

“Do not join those who drink too much wine or gorge themselves on meat,” (Proverbs 23:20)

(v) Even the Old Testament agrees in Principle that “kings & princes” (higher earthly positions) should “NOT” drink wine NOR any alcoholic drinks either (how much more spiritually higher positions!):

“Not for kings, O Lemuel, Not for kings, to drink wine, And for princes a desire of strong drink.” (Proverbs 31:4)

Why?
We’re imperfect. So being in such “high positions” (earthly or spiritually), consumption of alcohol can compromise one’s good Judgment resulting in bad thoughts/words/acts (so, to ‘avoid’ this “unwanted risk” for such “important” tasks):

“Lest he (king/prince) drink, and forget the decree, And change the judgment of any of the sons of affliction.” (Proverbs 31:5)

Finally, Christ alone is Perfect; His wine consumption etc. was NEVER a cause of something wrong (“zero” risk).

(Ending): I repeat,

As He Himself replies, “wisdom was justified of her children” (understand His Acts correctly).

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Anonymous Christian

Jonathan Ramachandran is founder at AnonymousChristian.org which serves as a Christian Blog discussing the Greater Hope of Biblical Christian in Christ Alone. He is also an IMO (International Math Coach) and a featuring Guitarist for many bands.

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