More Has Been Watered Down

Over ten years ago I preached a message on why our church was moving to wine in communion: The Fruit of the Vine. Here’s another reminder, connected to Jesus’ answer in Luke 5:34.

Grape juice is like liturgical crust on much modern Christian communion practice. Grape juice is a comfortable tradition that fits more with the rules than with rejoicing. It is not bad, it is also not as fitting.

Let us not pressure consciences, rather, let us release consciences. Even more, let us eat and drink at the Lord’s Table not like the groom is still in the grave.

The problem that Paul addressed in 1 Corinthians 11 is not that the Corinthians were enjoying their bread and wine, the problem is that some were excluding others from bread and wine. The “unworthy” part was selfishness and dividing the body, it was not unworthy that it was tasty.

Remember that Dr. Thomas Welch applied pasteurization science to gut the fruit of the vine in order to guard against Christians abusing wine at communion. More than the contents of the cup have been watered down.

God Himself causes:

the grass to grow for the livestock
and plants for man to cultivate,
that he may bring forth fruit
from the earth
and wine to gladden the heart of man
(Psalm 104:14-15)

We offer juice as a concession, and without judgment. And also, the gift and history and goodness of wine remind us that communion is not only not a time for fasting, it is a feast by faith.

He is risen, raise your glass!