parables

[carolineizzy]

Hi, could somebody please tell me the meaning or 'moral' behind the parable of Jesus turning water into wine. Also why did he choose to teach in this way?

Thank you

[felinechums]

Hi Carolineizzy, I am sure someone will correct me if I am wrong, but I think the Water-to-Wine was an act, not a parable. A parable was a story that Jesus told, which had a moral message (for example he told the story of the sower who sowed his seeds on stony ground and they didn't flourish -this had the message that you have to be receptive to the love of God, in order for it to grow in your heart), whereas turning the water into wine was an act that Jesus committed which demonstrated his divine powers. Raising Lazarus and healing sick people were other examples of acts.

[felinechums]

I have just seen the second part of your question. I think Jesus chose to teach using parables because by telling stories that were within the experience of ordinary people (eg everyone understood sowing seeds in fertile or non-fertile soil) he was hoping to help people to see the more abstract meaning in what he was trying to say. For example, if you are hostile to the idea of God, your heart and mind will be like the stony ground, and the seeds of love that God sows will not be able to grow there. Jesus wanted people to see that they needed to make their hearts and minds fertile, so that the love of God could grow there.

[carolineizzy]

Thanx for both your answers felinechums, they're going to really help me. Now i look back i can see that Jesus turning water into wine was an act and im going to write about the story of the sower so thanx for that answer aswell.

[felinechums]

You're welcome

[Tatty Rollox]

..... and here he is raising Lazarus ........

[Hippy]

At the marriage feast at Cana, Jesus turned water into wine because changing one element into another symbolised marriage. New life from old; first, as the relationship between two adults; then, in the children who are endowed with parts of both parents.

1st century Jewish wedding parties were elaborate occasions, lasting a least a whole weekend if not the week. In those days only men were invited to the actual meal; women toiled in the background. Mary was there, probably because she was known by the family and was helping with the arrangements. Then the wine ran out.

Miracles are presented as demonstrations of a supernatural power to engender belief in those around at the time and later in those to whom the tale is told.

Jesus seems to have been be a bit of a firebrand revolutionary, always trying to find a way of overturning the older generation's rituals and traditions. The jars he used were intended for water in Jewish Law ritual cleansing. He also involved the women in the process, an unheard of breach of the established good order! The man in charge of the feast tested it! He knew the difference between plonk and a good vintage. He was well pleased with the wine, the very best in his words. Jesus had transgressed yet another tradition; the caterer would have given good wine at the beginning of the feast, but as time went on the quality would have decreased, presumably the guests became less discerning as the alcohol and partying took hold. So in presenting a really good wine in such large quantities at a late stage was truly unusual.

Some will see the symbolism of the emptiness of Israel being turned into a plentiful potent force by the injection of Jesus, the transformation of a ritual bound and ultimately sterile Judaism into a dynamic expansive and evangelical Christianity.

[Lonnie]

I think, for religion in todays world, bearing in mind that at the time, there was no Christianity or Islam, by tuning water into wine, Jesus as good as said that alcohol was an acceptable drink, (in moderation)

[pega]

When I went to the Holy Land, we went to Canna and saw where it may have been the changing water into wine and the size of the vessel was very large, a reconstruct of what they may have used. We were taken to a wine shop , and they sold two little bottles for 2 dollars, it was an interesting experience and a lovely little village I think what you say about the meaning was that they had run out of wine so to save the day.....

[Peter Pedant]

They're right Caolissie, its not a parable but a miracle

It is also in John - and John does not call them miracles but simeia - signs. John selects 5 simeia of which this is one.

You may wonder if there was a reason why this one was chosen and the other answers give a good idea of the possible significations

[El D]

'Miracles are presented as demonstrations of a supernatural power to engender belief in those around at the time and later in those to whom the tale is told.'

Have you ever experience something supernatural hippy?

[marshman]

He was doing a mate a favour

[pugwashjw]

Lonnie...You are right in thinking that Jesus does approve of the odd alcoholic drink. 1 Timothy 5;23 Do not drink water any longer, but use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent cases of sickness.

[pugwashjw]

Its O.K. to have an alcoholic drink. Those who claim total abstinence are simply wrong. Everything in MODERATION. 1 Timothy 5; 23 Do not drink water any longer, but use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent cases of sickness".