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Water = Wine / aka Wine Fest, Hermeneutical Musings 1/19/25

Water = Wine / aka Wine Fest, Hermeneutical Musings 1/19/25

Last updated on: January 18, 2025 at 7:01 pm by Jeff Hood

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Water = Wine / aka Wine Fest, Hermeneutical Musings 1/19/25 2025-01-18T19:01:02-06:00 Jeff Hood

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Water = Wine / aka Wine Fest, Hermeneutical Musings 1/19/25

John 2:1-11

And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there:

And both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage.

And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine.

Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come.

His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it.

And there were set there six waterpots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece.

Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim.

And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast. And they bare it.

When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not whence it was: (but the servants which drew the water knew;) the governor of the feast called the bridegroom,

And saith unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but thou hast kept the good wine until now.

This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him.

This story blows the shit out of anyone who thinks that it is a sin to drink. The folks gathered at the wedding were already drunk when the wine ran out. The truth is that Jesus became somewhat of a bartender. Then again, in many places he might have lost his license for overserving the folks asking for more wine. Not only was the wine that Jesus brought forth of good quality…it was of the best quality. The commentary on the state of the party and the state of the wine makes clear that this was a party of seismic proportions. Jesus didn’t slow things down…he fueled them.

I’ve always thought it strange that alcohol fueled the first miracle of Jesus. Part of the reason for my juxtaposition is that I always associated alcohol as something that is outside of the church. I think many others do too. This passage helps us understand that Jesus engaged alcohol in a very different manner than most of the church does today.

What does the wine have to do with anything? There is a symbolism here that shouldn’t be missed. On the night before Jesus was crucified, he lifted a cup of wine and declared it to be his blood. On the cross, Jesus gives his blood for the world. Cups of blood and wine are at the epicenter of the Jesus tradition. The blood is the fuel by which we follow Jesus. The blood is the super serum. When it appeared that all the wine (blood) had run out, Jesus had plenty more to give. Such is the beauty of the love of God. Nothing can exhaust the blood. Nothing can exhaust how far Jesus is willing to come to meet us. It is the blood that makes all things right. It is the blood that keeps the party going…forever. Pass the wine!

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Politics and Religion

St. Oscar Romero Old Catholic Church

The Rev. Dr. Jeff Hood

water into wine

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