QT 10/19/2026 John 2:1–11, Convictions versus biblical teaching

John 2:1–11 (ESV) —

1 On the third day there was a wedding at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. 2 Jesus also was invited to the wedding with his disciples. 3 When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” 4 And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does this have to do with me? My hour has not yet come.” 5 His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”

6 Now there were six stone water jars there for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. 7 Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. 8 And he said to them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the feast.” So they took it. 9 When the master of the feast tasted the water now become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the master of the feast called the bridegroom 10 and said to him, “Everyone serves the good wine first, and when people have drunk freely, then the poor wine. But you have kept the good wine until now.” 11 This, the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested his glory. And his disciples believed in him.

 

NOTE: Some commentators have tried to argue that the word for drink is non-alcoholic grape juice. That of course is reading into scripture to fit your own prejudices (or opinion). It is clear from the Master of the feast that it was wine, alcoholic wine. It was a very good quality, and it would have been more natural to use that wine first and then use the cheaper version later when people might care less. Alcohol is clearly the underlying thought in these verses. Jesus created alcohol at the feast, but he did not create it to be abused. God created a beautiful world and he did not create it to be abused.

 

In my mind, alcohol is not evil. Drinking to excess is sin as drunkenness is specifically named in other parts of scripture. My point is that we must not read into scripture our own ideas but accept scripture as it reads. One can still have a conviction not to drink any alcohol, but one cannot teach others to have the same conviction. There is great wisdom in staying away from alcohol, because it can go too far without a person realizing. I remember a time having not eaten all day, when I had a drink that came before the meal. I was only halfway through the drink and I felt funny and lightheaded. I have very specific rules to avoid ever getting drunk -- my father was an alcoholic. But this was the first time, one glass of a drink, on an empty stomach, clearly impacted my body in a negative way.

 

So we must be careful with alcohol, but denying alcohol is a conviction, not a teaching of scripture.

 

PONDER:

1. What are your convictions on alcohol, and how do you protect your body from abusing alcohol?

 

PRAYER: Father, It is amazing that Jesus could create a beautiful wine out of water almost instantaneously. And it is interesting that Jesus cared enough about the wedding celebration that he involved himself in the couple's time of great joy. Jesus is so different from our versions of a religious person. Thank you for joy and caring for other people's joy.