Here\u2019s one more lesson from the John 2 story of Jesus changing the water to wine. It\u2019s a possible application, one that I wouldn\u2019t fight to the death for, but it made sense in a discussion I had recently had with a friend who feels responsible for the moral behavior of his adult grandchildren. It\u2019s not the first such conversation I\u2019ve had with people I respect on what to do about grandchildren, say, living with someone out of wedlock.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s not a hypothetical: we and many of our friends have family members not living as we think Jesus would have them live. June and I have chosen to live by principles:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s this last that I believe the water to wine story speaks to. My friend mentioned in the first paragraph didn\u2019t want to fund hotel rooms for a family reunion that would be occupied by grandchildren \u201cshacking up.\u201d He said, \u201cAm I not responsible, especially if it\u2019s my money?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I can\u2019t dictate to others what to do (he doesn\u2019t work for me either!), but I did notice that Jesus made A LOT of wine at that wedding. Probably more than they needed. And if it was a big wedding party, and people then are anything like people now, isn\u2019t it possible that someone got drunk on Jesus\u2019 wine?\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To apply my friend\u2019s logic, Jesus would have said, \u201cI\u2019d like to help you, but I can\u2019t be a party to someone\u2019s abusing alcohol.\u201d To put it into modern-day terms, \u201cI\u2019d like to help you since you\u2019ve gone over budget, but I can\u2019t, you see. I can\u2019t use my money that way.\u201d So I get to save money and attempt to make myself look holy in the process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When my personal purity becomes an excuse not to help someone, I think I\u2019m on the wrong track. Jesus was clear on that in the story of the Good Samaritan. And, I think, indirectly, in his being willing to make wine for a wedding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So then each of us shall give account of himself to God. (Romans 14.12, NKJV)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n [The conclusion of the story of the Good Samaritan: Jesus asked, ] “What do you think? Which of the three became a neighbor to the man attacked by robbers?” “The one who treated him kindly,” the religion scholar responded. Jesus said, “Go and do the same.” (Luke 10.36, 37, MSG) <\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Here\u2019s one more lesson from the John 2 story of Jesus changing the water to wine. It\u2019s a possible application, one that I wouldn\u2019t fight to the death for, but it made sense in a discussion I had recently had with a friend who feels responsible for the moral behavior of his adult grandchildren. It\u2019s … Continue reading My Purity?<\/span>