Was the “ Wine” that Jesus Made Intoxicating? (Continued from Page 5) of leavened bread at the old pass- over feasts was also prohibited (Num bers 9:11), (Exodus 12:17-20), neither was leavened bread used at our Lord’s last supper (Mark 14:1). Why? Because leaven (or yeast) means decomposition, decay and rottenness. That was why God commanded the Israelites to eat nothing with leaven in it at the time of the passover, under penalty of death. (See Exodus 12:17-20.) And for the same reason, I believe that fermented wine was not used at the Lord’s last supper, because it contains the same principle of decay and corruption as leaven (or yeast). It is therefore more than absurd to claim that our Lord sanctioned the use of fermented and therefore intoxicating wine at that sup per which was held in remembrance of the old passover; or that He made or used it at the wedding at Cana, or at any other place or time.
show her that the real cause of her sinful life was her wrong view of religion (w . 20-24). The Samaritan woman had an external legalistic religion. This will never bring a soul to God. God must be worshiped in spirit, that is, spiritu ally, and in truth, that is, in reality, based upon the truth of God’s holy Word (v. 24). This young man had many things about him that were commendable. He came running to Jesus, thus showing his eagerness to meet Him (v. 17). He was reverent for he knelt at Jesus’ feet (v. 17). He had a good opinion of Jesus for he called Him “ Good Master” (v. 17). He asked a good question for it had to do with eternal life (v. 17). He was a good moral young man as evidenced from his words in verse 20. Our Lord does not contradict this man’s testimony about himself therefore we may assume that he had been keeping the Ten Commandments. But, in spite of all these many com mendable qualities, the young man was still lacking (v. 21). The thing this young man needed was a true, vital, definite spiritual relationship to Jesus Christ. He was not willing to put Christ first in his life but insisted on living for the world for “he had great possessions” (v. 22). How like so many people to day! In every life not Christian there is some idol that keeps the soul from Christ. How did our Lord deal with this young man? First, He dealt with him in love (v. 21). Jesus knew all about him. He knew that he was very religious but thoroughly materialistic. He was not a bad man but he had no time for spiritual things. He had a high moral code but no heart experience with the Lord. Christ dealt with this man wisely. He is the Master psychiatrist and knows exactly what is wrong with every man. in this case He put His finger squarely on the sore spot—possessions (w . 21, 22). There are no secrets in our lives so far as Christ is concerned (Heb. 4:12, 13; John 2:24, 25). He dealt with the man fairly. He did not beat around the bush, or, as the gang would say, He did not pull any punches. He told the young man exactly what he would have to do to have peace in his life (v. 21). Our Lord does not call upon every man who would be His disciple to do what He required of this man. Cases vary. Jesus expects a man to surrender anything and everything that comes between Him and the soul. He cannot tolerate a rival in a believer’s heart. He insists on being Lord, and rightly so, for He is Lord. Christ did not want or need this man’s possessions, but as long as the man had them he could not give his heart to the Saviour. Is there anything in your life that is keep ing you away from Christ and His bless ing? How Jesus Dealt with The Rich Young Ruler Mark 10:17-22
These words of Christ also teach us the wonder of the new Christian rela tionship. Believers are all one great family in the Lord. The Church was intended to manifest this spirit of brotherly love throughout the whole world as a proof of the power of Christ (John 17:21; Rom. 12:10; Eph. 4:1-16). Nov. 30, 1952 HOW JESUS DEALT WITH INDIVIDUALS John 4:1-26; Mark 10:17-22 Christianity is pre-eminently personal. God never saves men en masse. Every soul must come into grips with Christ for himself for salvation. This is what Jesus meant when He said “ Except o man be bom again, he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3 :3). Men have substituted group religion for personal experience with Christ and thus millions of souls have been deceived. The Bible formula is “ If any man be in Christ he is a new creature” (1 Cor. 5:17). When the multitude followed Christ He was very careful to put discipleship on a personal plane (Luke 14:25ff). Thus the Gospels record many private and personal interviews with Christ. How Jesus Dealt with the Woman of Samaria In the first place note that Jesus did deal with this woman. It is recorded that the Jews had no dealings with the Samaritans (John 4 :9). But Jesus did. This is always true of Him. He will deal with any soul at any time. He never avoids a man regardless of his back ground or his status in life. If a man wants to know the Saviour, he may, for the Saviour is always ready to receive Him (Matt. 11:28-30). Jesus dealt kindly and patiently with this woman. He knew what a sordid mess her life was in (w . 16-19). The temptation would probably have come to some of us to deal harshly and bluntly with this woman. But not so Jesus. He is in full sympathy with poor sinners. He does not delight in scolding but in saving. See John 8:1-11 in this connec tion. Jesus dealt tactfully with the woman of Samaria. He drew her out with the use of skilful questions which did not offend or put the woman on her guard. It takes much tact to win a soul to Christ. Our Lord created interest in her need; then He showed her how this need could be met. We must do the same with every soul we seek to lead to the Saviour (w . 7-15). Jesus dealt honestly with this woman (vv. 16-28). He did not face her im mediately with her sin but He got around to it eventually. This must be done. A man will not confess Christ as Saviour until he first is made to see his need of Him. Our Lord, however, let the woman condemn herself (v. 17). When this happens the soul is not far from the kingdom. But if we do the condemn ing, we merely drive the soul farther from the Lord. The next step was to
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