Did Jesus make liquor at the wedding in Cana (John 2:1-11)? If so, what implications does this have for us now?
In the world today, many people only use liquor and other forms of alcohol for one thing: getting drunk. And the Bible says that drunkenness is a sin: “And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit” (Ephesians 5:18)
Wedding in Cana
Therefore, when we get to the story of Jesus turning water into wine at the wedding in Cana (John 2:1-11), many people wonder, “Is Jesus saying that it is okay to get drunk?” The answer is a resounding “NO.” The Bible clearly says in that drunkenness is sinful (Proverbs 20:1, Ephesians 5:18). If that is the case, then why does Jesus make alcohol? Isn’t drinking a sin?
Last Supper
In the Bible, we see Jesus and his disciples having wine at the Last Supper (Matthew 26:27-29, see also John 19:29-30) and the Apostle Paul recommending that Timothy drink a little wine for health reasons (1 Timothy 5:23). The Bible does not condemn drinking alcohol altogether, although it does condemn drinking any amount of alcohol that will cause drunkenness. Therefore, according the Bible, it is acceptable to drink wine, beer, liquor, or other alcoholic beverages, as long as they are in amounts small enough so that you don’t get drunk.
Jesus approved the drinking of wine
Therefore, because the Bible approves of drinking some alcohol, it should not be a problem for us to believe that Jesus turned water into wine. Some people claim that Jesus only made unfermented grape juice that is not like the alcoholic wine of today. However, there is no reliable evidence to support that claim. Therefore, it is safe to assume that the wine that Jesus made at Cana was alcoholic, similar to wine today, and that Jesus approved of drinking wine and other alcoholic beverages, but not to the point of drunkenness.