On this Good Friday, I am captivated by the significance of Jesus’ association with wine. We are well acquainted with the story of the first public display of just “who” this “man” really was: through the miracle of changing water into wine at a wedding feast. In a sense, this begins a very important introduction of sorts. In the end, the blood-stained wine that He offers us, marks the most marvelous invitation to a wedding feast we could ever receive!
Jesus talked about wineskins; about not putting new wine into old wineskins, for they would break and all the wine would be wasted. You must pour new wine into new wineskins. This marks the beginning of a new blood covenant. The law and its sacrificial rituals have become a thing of the past.
Yesterday we observed Maundy Thursday, the gathering of Jesus and his disciples for the Passover meal, just prior to his crucifixion. With the sharing of the bread and wine, Jesus explained that the bread represented his body, being broken for them, and the wine represented his blood being spilled for them—and for many for the forgiveness of sins.
The very next thing Jesus says to his disciples is astounding to me! As if the excruciating sacrifice of bone and blood is not enough, Jesus offers one additional promise:
I tell you I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom. Matthew 26:29
His is a sacred waiting; the anticipation of a glorious day. And with it, this King of Kings is still denying himself, still humbling himself, reserving this special occasion for the partaking of the exquisite fruit of the vine He created—with his own who love him. He drank the cup of suffering so that we could drink the new wine of salvation, together. He even kept that promise while on the cross, refusing the wine that was offered to help ease his suffering.
Jesus has never stopped changing water into wine. In these old, worldly wineskins we temporarily inhabit, we experience the watery tears of sorrow and suffering. We flail in the deep waters of our human pain and grief. Yet, with the pouring out of his very own blood, Christ holds us safely in the promise of new wine; as the Bridegroom awaits the consummation of His bride, the Church.
And that, my dear friends, is what today is all about. Good Friday is “good” because God’s offering is so very, very good. Amen and amen.