The National Wine UnClub
Newsletter
by Donald W. White
FOOD, WINE, & THE BASICS OF LIFE
In today's computerized world, rife with hard-to-figure complexities and ultra-sophisticated practises in almost every field of human endeavor, we in the West are in danger of forgetting the foundational basics of life. What matters most in this regard? This, in reality, must be our quest as we continually seek to live our lives most abundantly.
There is a phrase from a New Testament prayer in the Bible that is perhaps instructive in this core matter of consideration. The Lord's Prayer, first uttered by Jesus Christ, is the most oft-repeated piece of scripture in Christendom. In this exhortation Jesus was reliably reported to have said: "Give us this day our daily bread".
Here we have the Lord's view of what is important in the ongoing life of mankind. After giving supreme thanks to the Father and acknowledging His kingdom on earth (this apparently is the first thing to accomplish before any other actions are taken) Jesus indicates that 'daily bread', the basic sustenance of food (which of course includes drink), has a rather high priority in the satisfactory habitation of this world.
In the most essential understanding of this message offered by our Master, even persons of the meanest intelligence can begin to understand the implications of this prayer of prayers. Spirit first, then all things that pertain to the 'Father's good pleasure' which is to give the Joy of the Kingdom of Heaven to his children, mankind.
You may be wondering if religion is an appropriate topic for a wine newsletter. Typically, a more secular view is taken of what we eat and drink, unless we are receiving Holy Communion. But if we strip away the layers of religious complexity surrounding this ritual, we see the down-to-earth practicality of the symbolism involved.
We can take the pragmatic attitude that every time we sit down to sup is actually a time of holy communion, with the food that we eat representing the Body of Christ and the wine we drink representing the Blood of Christ. We say that all things were made by Him, so it makes sense to regard everything we ingest with a certain degree of reverence.
With the advent of 'fast food' and the demise of regular family-style dinners, it is reasonable to assume that the ceremony of taking one's daily bread has lost some of its special meaning. We rush through a meal so that we can get on with 'more important things', whether they be business or entertainment. We have gotten into the habit of bypassing or trivializing something which has much to do with our sense of well-being. Jesus, who regularly took wine with his meals, knew the value of breaking bread and sipping wine with his brethren. For Him it certainly wasn't a matter of escaping from reality through 'wine-bibbing'! It was a celebration of life in the most mundane sense.
Jesus' first miracle, changing water into wine at the wedding in Canaan, revealed that God doesn't intend mankind to suffer through a tough and meager earthly existence. Remember, it is the Father's good pleasure to give us the Kingdom, with all the delights to be found therein. Jesus and His disciples could have had water with their meals but they chose to have wine, which also points to the rich abundance God has in mind for His crowning creation.
There is a degree of pleasure beyond description in the production of a fine wine. Most premium vintners will tell you that they are not in the business of viticulture and winemaking solely to make money. There's a genuine love and respect for the earth that yearns to yield up its treasures to God's steward, mankind. In these bottles of wine one can taste God's love for mankind. It was Thomas Jefferson, the United States' first wine enthusiast, who made the comment that "Wine is proof that God loves us".
It is unclear whether the current pace of world industrialization can be sustained. At some point it appears that civilization will not be able to continue with the building of the modern 'Tower of Babel'. Maybe it's time for a serious re-evaluation of where we stand on what truly matters most - the simple things of life enjoyed with a full sense of appreciation for the Source of all things.
Happy Easter!