This penultimate devotional in the Water Into Wine Series dives into what has proven to be a controversial topic. Our first article in this series went into an overview of several of the lessons Yeshua taught by turning water into wine. Wanna Get Drunk? was the title of that lesson we will be diving deeper into here. While we learn about the nature of this sign, keep the answer to the question “Wanna get drunk?” in mind. The answer is a hard and resounding “no”, whether it is being asked in the context of a religious devotional, a family setting, a wedding, or a frat party: the correct answer is always “no”. Please keep comments respectful and worthy of praise as this can be a controversial subject. I want to know what you think and I do respect what most people think even when it stands in opposition to what I am teaching. Think before you type and don’t type anything you wouldn’t want others to type to you. Let’s learn together.
My apologies. The fan-fiction portion of this article is planned to be posted later this week. So straight to the teaching portion.
In previous devotionals we learned that a sign is not the end, but the beginning of something. Any sign is penultimate: pointing to what it ultimately serves. Just like a highway sign simply points to the place it was put up to serve. “Michigan, 10,000 Miles.” Today’s devotional is stationed upon this “first sign” Yeshua performed or this “beginning of signs” Yeshua performed (reference, John 2:1-11). Previous devotionals taught that it was a servant’s hand that produced the actual miracle, not Yeshua’s own hand, and by that we learned the lesson that obedience produces miracles. We also learned that Yeshua did not barge into the wedding exclaiming His authority as God, taking all the attention through the production of the miracle. He was surreptitious, and enjoyable to be around; thus, people were drawn to Him. He did not force Himself on others, but He was invited to the wedding. These lessons can be found by clicking THIS LINK.
Here is another lesson from the inexhaustability of The Word: Yeshua was reflecting God’s character when He provided the wedding guests with over one hundred gallons of wine. How does this display God’s character? We will discuss that in a moment. For now, we will focus on how water into wine teaches the nature of the world around us.
The World Around Us And It’s Nature
The wedding feast that day in Cana of Galilee was a microcosm of the world we live in, complete with the presence of God, Satan, and man. The deepest desires and pursuits of the heart were available for days of feasting and celebration in the coming together of the two: man and woman (reference, John 2:1-11). God: Yeshua was there, but so was the enemy, just like here on earth. The enemy was the same then as he is now: he had placed good desires into their hearts but not before twisting and maligning those good intentions. One of those desires was the desire for a spouse: a righteous and good pursuit, however if God was not coming first for the bride and her groom, they may have become “drunk” in their love for one another. For all people throughout time and for us today, while at first these days of being infatuated with another may feel good, a foundation of pain and suffering in an unhealthy, self focused relationship is being lain if one becomes “drunk” on the other person. The proverbial hang over will no doubt follow if God is not the only infatuation. We are encouraged to be completely obsessed with God and obsessed with pleasing Him above all things.
This failure to put God first is the first sin man committed. Let’s look to Genesis. When Eve ate the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, she was not aware that what she was doing was wrong (reference, Genesis 3 & 2 Corinthians 11:3). God however, orchestrated this event such that Adam, being right next to her (reference, Genesis 3:6), was indeed aware that what his wife had done was bad and that what he was about to do in eating the fruit was bad as well. Unknowing sin, and willful, knowing sin right next to each other. Guess whose responsibility it was to protect them? If you guessed Eve you should ask your wife to bake you some humble pie and try again. It was the male in the scenario, the stronger vessel’s responsibility to protect woman, the weaker vessel (1 Peter 3:7). Adam knew his wife had made an enormous error and the consequences of that error would be separation from God and from himself. Wait a minute now, hold the laundry Adam may have thought to himself when he realized he was about to be separated from Hava (Eve). If I also eat this fruit that is being offered to me, then I will be separated from God with my wife whom I deeply love and care for. The rest is history, my friends. Adam chose to put his wife over God. The first sin. Yeshua ultimately taught, through His first sign, that we ought not to make the same mistake. While we all have our spouses here on earth, that marriage covenant between man and wife is founded on the servitude to the greater covenant: The Bridegroom marrying His Bride. Don’t get drunk on your spouse. Moderation is key.
This idea that being drunk on love is one small, sub-theme taught in this beginning of signs. The main theme though, has it’s focus on the proclivity for the human heart to be reaching desperately for what is not good for it, which leads unto death, and the laudable solution to that problem which leadeth unto life. In this feast the people were “well drunk” and the Master provided them with an abundance of very nice wine. Being drunk is a result of making poor decisions, and being drunk leads to more poor decision making. The argument that it was only “new wine” or grape juice that was provided is the popular misconception in the interpretation of this sign. I assure you, the “new wine” argument is the wrong way to look at this sign. It falls utterly short of providing the full lesson God intended to point to when performing the sign. God created man and woman in such a way that they benefit one another. Yet, as we learned above, if man and woman have too much of themselves and loose sight of God they will not have a healthy relationship with one another. This lesson is not taught when “new wine” is presented instead of “wine” (reference, John 2:9).
So you are saying God provided the “well drunk” with an abundance of fine wine and called it a miracle? Many of God’s Feast days require wine to properly celebrate as it represents Yeshua’s blood: but too much wine is an obvious “no no.” God also created a world where all manner of drugs are easily available as well as alcohol. Here we learn that just because the atmosphere is cultivated for you to want it, and it is provided, even by God, does not mean that it should be taken. This lesson, that part of God’s character is to test us while providing the way out while our role is to be tested and pass the test even when the whole world is turning to prevent us from passing, is lost also if new wine is presented. Revelation teaches that anyone who adds to This Book or subtracts from it is, well, not to be trusted let’s say (reference, Revelation 22:18 – 19). “New wine” is not what it says was presented. It says “wine” was presented.
“When the master of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and did not know where it came from (but the servants who had drawn the water knew), the master of the feast called the bridegroom And he said to him, “Every man at the beginning sets out the good wine, and when the guests have well drunk, then the inferior. You have kept the good wine until now!”” (Quote, John 2:9-10.) What do you think about this? Please share your thoughts in the comment section. I believe this page is designed so anyone can comment with or without a wordpress account.
God’s True Character
Earlier it was mentioned that a portion of God’s character is revealed in this sign. Let’s lean into the lesson that just because we want something doesn’t mean it is good to take it. In the circumstance of the wine it is completely clear: stay sober minded when enjoying wine. But what about when it is not so clear? How do we know if something is good to take or not to take, to do or not to do, to abstain from or not abstain from if our own feelings, morals and values, goals and aspirations are not the proper road map to follow every single time? We are extending this lesson beyond the obvious “no no” in considering drunkenness and drug use, but to everyday choices that dictate whether or not you are an ersatz or a faithful image of God, bearing good fruit as a good tree. We all want this, but How? Study yourself approved to show yourself as a good workman (reference 2 Timothy 2:15): the Bible is man’s manual for life. If God says do not steal and the opportunity arises: it is not God’s way of providing what you want. He is testing you. Do not steal. Thanks to Yeshua’s teaching it has been revealed that this extends beyond the physical and into the spiritual. God see’s everything so do not take advantage of people, it is the same as stealing. If the Bible tells you to keep a Sabbath and focus on Him all day for His glory and your edification and sanctification but the boss is requiring you to work: you must choose which master’s requirements you will keep. The Written Word is simple, black and white, and easy to understand. Thank God for this because it is not always so simple to do what is understood when the tests come; further, it is not always so easy to agree with what can be much more simply understood (reference, Romans 1:20). That takes faith (reference, James 2:14).
God will test us, the same way that He tested the people at the wedding feast. Those people were “well drunk” (which is more easily understood if you take out the “well”), and Yeshua provided them with more than a hundred gallons of fine wine. Does this mean He wanted them to get more drunk? He did not. He was placing a sword in their midst. He was dividing the wheat from the tares, the soul from The Spirit, the sheep from the goats (reference, Matthew 13:40 , Hebrews 4:12 , Matthew 25:32 respectively). Most stuck around the wedding feast and continued down the wrong path, so Yeshua left. The victory here is that His Disciples believed in Him and followed Him when He left. In our lives (not the heathen but those who love God), when Yeshua leaves guess who fills His place? Guess who we often believe is still there? Meditate on this and work out your own salvation in fear and trembling (Quote, Philippians 2:12).
The key question though is how many more than twelve followed Him that day, and how many allowed the seeds of righteousness to spring up inside of them, leading to their following Him months down the road when they realized what opportunity they had missed in their drunken enjoyment of friends and family? Thanks for growing with us today. Be disciplined both in your study and the application of His knowledge in your actions. His love for our fellowship is tremendous.
Tune in for a new article and video posted every week or so.
Author: T.Griffin
Does Gleaning The Scriptures fill you in a way that is different than that of the common religious organizations you have come across? We hope so. Our goal is to show you truth that God is sharing with us directly for the purpose of loving God better. Feel led, consider contributing, even a small amount. You can help out by contributing enough for a single cup of tea even! All contributions are appreciated.
Would you like to hear a sermon? Check out GTS on YouTube. Our Youtube channel was designed to be demonetized and is demonetized so that money from promoters does not spoil the message. We keep it pure here for you and we hope God is blessing you through it as a result.
Remember, the best things in life are free and you being here, sharing in the knowledge of the truth is profit.
Shalom, in The Savior and King, Our Husband, Yeshua
Gleaning The Scriptures 
Say Something….