Wine was an important drink in the ancient world, and it figures significantly in the imagery of Jesus' death as well as his parables. Wine was consumed at daily meals (Gen. 14:18; Lk. 7:33-34). It was customary in Greek, Roman, Jewish and early Christian cultures to mix wine, usually with water. Wine mixed with water acted as a purifier and made the water safe to drink. Jesus appropriated wine as an element of the Lord's Supper and it symbolized his blood poured out as the blood of the pascal lamb slaughtered for the redemption of humankind. Wine was the table drink used in fellowship meals to affirm Jesus' banquet. It was also usually associated with feasting and celebration. In Hebrew, the word for feasting or banquet derives from the word for drinking. A great feast celebrated in the presence of God is common to the prophetic and apocalyptic imagery of later Judaism and anticipates the messianic heavenly banquet mentioned in Jesus' teaching. Wine was just a natural element in such feasts.
Both the Old Testament and the New Testament view wine drinking favorably. Abundant wine was considered a sign of blessing and prosperity from God (Ps. 104:15) as was a season of good wine production. Wine was also considered a source of joy and one of the good things created for people. Conversely the lack of wine was a symbol of judgment and calamity (Deut. 28:30). In the Judeo-Christian tradition, complete abstinence from drinking was not the norm but the exception for reasons of strict religious purity. Daniel and his friends abstained from the king's wine, probably because it was somehow involved in the pagan cult and drinking it would be in violation of Jewish dietary laws (Dan. 1:8-16).
Jesus upheld the popular attitude toward wine. He drank wine and permitted its use in festivities like the wedding of Cana. So, the case for abstinence cannot be built from what the NT says of wine. Abstinence was not an issue in the early church, and there is no direct prohibition of the use of wine in the NT. However, as in the OT, drunkenness and excessive use of wine (which leads to addiction) is forbidden. Moderation is the watchword. The use of wine is dependent upon the conscience and the sensitivities of others. It is not to be indulged in if it will lead others to drink against the conscience.
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