Works

The picture shows a long haired, pale faced Jesus. He looks like butter wouldn't melt in his mouth. The term 'lily-livered' and 'weak' come to mind. In another post we dealt with the thought that, those who drew, or in some way illustrated Jesus, didn't have a 'Kodak picture' to go by.

In Matthew 11:29 (Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.) Jesus calls himself meek-- not by the way-- weak.
In like manner Isaiah 42:3 (A bruised reed will he not break, and a dimly burning wick will he not quench: he will bring forth justice in truth.) shows him as kind and gentle --to those who were in need of encouragement, to those who were in despair.

Matthew 11:18-19 For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, He hath a demon. 19) The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold, a gluttonous man and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners! And wisdom is justified by her works.

Some say Jesus was a wine drinker, therefore it is alright for them to do so. "Matthew 22:29 But Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures,...". These folks show a basic lack of--at least-- scriptural knowledge, and the possibility of dishonesty. Let me explain here.

First, John the baptizer was a Nazarite, (Luke 1:15 For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and he shall drink no wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother's womb.) This is one who has a special vow, and could not partake of anything from the fruit of the vine, no grapes, no grape juice, not even raisins, along with several other restrictions. Samson was also a Nazarite in this fashion. That is what Jesus meant by 'he came neither eating nor drinking'. Not that John didn't eat or drink, but that he observed the 'law of the Nazarite'.

Jesus was special. Yes, he was very special, but he was not a Nazarite. He didn't have the restrictions of the Nazarite vow. This is what he meant by the 'Son of Man came eating and drinking'. He ate what the common folks ate. But neither John nor himself pleased the fault finders, (usually the Scribes, Pharisees, and Sadducees). As for the charge that he was a gluttonous man and a winebibber--he did not say, 'I am a ...' he said THEY say....

The common people did not drink fermented wine. They would boil the grape juice down to a thick syrup to preserve it, and often they would reconstitute it to use it. (I used the little booklet titled, "Bible wines, Laws of Fermentation and Wines of The Ancients)

As to the charge that he was a friend to publicans and sinners, his reply? Matthew 9:12 But when he heard it, he said, They that are whole have no need of a physician, but they that are sick.

Now, let's consider. If I walk into the store and buy grape juice, will any one see that as questionable? What if I walk into the store and buy wine? Another thing, what about our influence? If someone sees me walk into the store and purchase wine, beer, or any alcoholic beverage, they could be encouraged to do likewise-- to the ruination of themselves. Children who see their parents drinking these beverages grow up believing it is acceptable. Alcoholic beverages take money that should go to the support of families, and they take the lives of those who participate in them (in several different ways--know of anyone who wanted to be an alcoholic when they grew up?).

Galatians 5:19&21 "Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these:... 21) envyings, drunkenness, revelings, and such like; of which I forewarn you, even as I did..."
We need to know that Jesus was not a 'winebibber'... nor a gluttonous man.

When we weigh the outcomes, when we weigh what we want against what is good and right, what wins out in the end? What should win out in the end? What is most important?

Philippians 3:8 Yea verily, and I count all things to be loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but refuse, that I may gain Christ,

What a Savior!