I was driving early one morning, going to see a Biblical Museum. And as I traveled through the Kentucky countryside I saw a noisy little manufacturing plant. It was a distillery, I am told. It produces bourbon whiskey, whatever that is. I stopped the car and photographed their sign.

Today’s Bible Lesson …

I am often told that Jesus drank wine, fermented grape juice.

Personally, I do NOT believe that.

Many think our Lord created some wine one day, the kind that makes a man drunk.

I do NOT believe that, either.

But Preacher Bagwell … “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: 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.” John 2:7-10

Still, I don’t think it was intoxicating wine!

Why?

Because the very fermentation process involves rot, decay, a form of death!

And I see nowhere death ever (permanently) existed in the presence of Jesus!

Or even could exist in His Presence!

Folks … dead men couldn’t even stay dead … when our Lord was around!

Think of the little (dead) 12 year old girl! Temporarily dead, wasn’t she? “But when the people were put forth, he went in, and took her by the hand, and the maid arose.” Matthew 9:25

And the Widow’s son? “And he (Jesus) came and touched the bier (casket): and they that bare him stood still. And he said, Young man, I say unto thee, Arise. And he that was dead sat up, and began to speak. And he delivered him to his mother.” Luke 7:14-15

Lazarus too! “And when he (Jesus) thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. And he that was dead came forth ….” John 11:43-44

I am just thinking that nothing dead could coexist with Jesus … Who is Life itself! (He said so! “I am the Life.” John 14:6)

And if I am right, grape juice could not have decayed in the Presence of the “Prince of Life!” That’s Peter’s Name for Jesus in Acts 3:15.

No wonder then even the Old Testament commands: “Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his colour in the cup, when it moveth itself aright. At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder.” Proverbs 23:31-32, a clear warning!

Wow!

This one will be controversial!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

Colossians 1:17 says of Jesus: “By Him all things consist.” The verb “consist” used there is the Greek “sunistao,” meaning “to stand together, to hold together.” Virtually, “to exist!” Therefore, as I said, He is NOT the Lord of putrefaction, disintegration, or decay! No, not at all.