Wine in Biblical teaching

Wine as a symbol of joy, celebration and abundance

In the teachings of Jesus, wine is often used as a symbol of joy, celebration, and abundance. In the New Testament, Jesus is recorded as turning water into wine at a wedding feast in Cana, demonstrating his ability to perform miracles and his desire to bring joy and celebration to people's lives.

Wine as a symbol of Jesus blood

Additionally, in the Last Supper, Jesus used wine as a symbol of his blood, which was shed for the forgiveness of sins. This act of drinking wine together became the basis of the Christian practice of Communion or the Eucharist. 

New wine as new and revolutionary teaching

Jesus used the metaphor of new wine to describe the new and revolutionary nature of his teachings and mission. In the Gospels, Jesus says, "No one pours new wine into old wineskins. Otherwise, the wine will burst the skins, and both the wine and the wineskins will be ruined. No, they pour new wine into new wineskins." (Mark 2:22, NIV).

In this metaphor, the new wine represents the radical nature of Jesus' teachings and the transformative power of his message. Just as new wine cannot be contained in old wineskins, Jesus' teachings cannot be contained within the old religious systems and traditions of his time. His teachings emphasized love, mercy, and compassion, and challenged the religious and social norms of his time. He invited people to embrace a new way of living, one that focused on a personal relationship with God and caring for others.

Did Jesus drink wine?

It is worth noting that wine was a common beverage in Jesus' time, and it was often consumed in moderation as a part of everyday life. While the Bible does not provide a definitive answer on whether Jesus drank wine, it is possible that he did, in moderation and in the context of cultural practices of his time.