Why You (and your children) Should Take Wine At The Lord's Supper

It is very clear that the early church used wine and not grape juice. Grape juice did not even exist in Jesus’ day. It was an invention of the 19th century and was a part of the prohibitionist movement. Up until that point, using wine in communion had been the universal practice of the church in all her branches, Protestant, Roman Catholic, and Eastern Orthodox.

Ever since our kids were very young, it has always been a rule in our home: “You are not allowed to take the grape juice during communion. You have to take wine.” That might sound odd to some in our church, especially since half of the communion options on Sunday morning are grape juice, making it a legitimate option in our church’s worship. I consider this a third-tier issue in our church (one of personal conviction over which even elders may disagree). 

Being a third-tier issue doesn’t mean it is unimportant. Especially around the sacraments, which play such an important role in shaping our Christian lives, it is good for us to think carefully.

What Was Originally Used In The Lord’s Supper

The most obvious reason for taking wine during communion is that it is what Jesus gave his disciples when he instituted the Lord’s Supper. He took the cup of the Passover meal (which would have been wine) and called it the blood of the new covenant. This makes sense, as bread and wine were not new images that Jesus was utilizing as he instituted this rite. For example, in Genesis 14:18 it says, “Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. (He was priest of God Most High.)” Afterward he blessed Abram. Later, in Hebrews 7, we learn that Jesus is a high priest of the order of Melchizedek; in fact, Melchizedek may have been a pre-incarnate appearing of the Son of God. The later Melchizedek still blesses with bread and wine like the earlier one did.

Other examples can be found in the descriptions of the last days by the prophets. Amos describes the eschaton like so: 

“Behold, the days are coming,” declares the Lord, 

“when the plowman shall overtake the reaper 

and the treader of grapes him who sows the seed; 

the mountains shall drip sweet wine, 

and all the hills shall flow with it. 

I will restore the fortunes of my people Israel, 

and they shall rebuild the ruined cities and inhabit them; 

they shall plant vineyards and drink their wine, 

and they shall make gardens and eat their fruit. 

I will plant them on their land, 

and they shall never again be uprooted 

out of the land that I have given them,” 

says the Lord your God.  (Amos 9:13-15)

The age of the new creation, inaugurated at Jesus’ first coming, is marked by mountains flowing with wine. Jesus had all this Old Testament imagery in mind when he instituted wine at the Lord’s Supper. He was saying, “Now the time has come.”

For these reasons, I think it is important that children take the wine and not the grape juice. We are trying to teach them that this isn’t just a snack—they are receiving the body and blood of the Son of God. They should come forward with reverence and awe.

Also, it is very clear that the early church used wine and not grape juice. If grape juice, or some other non-alcoholic beverage were used, then how were the Corinthians getting drunk at the Lord’s Supper (1 Cor. 11:20-21)? Grape juice did not even exist in Jesus’ day. It was an invention of the 19th century and was a part of the prohibitionist movement. Up until that point, using wine in communion had been the universal practice of the church in all her branches, Protestant, Roman Catholic, and Eastern Orthodox.

Wine Is More Fitting To The Christian Life

The reason we offer grape juice at communion is as a concession for worshipers who might have histories of alcohol abuse or a conscience issue with drinking alcohol. But my guess is that those are not the main reasons for taking the grape juice instead of wine. My guess is that many don’t like the taste of wine and prefer the sweetness of grape juice. I am confident that is why many children take it (but also some adults). I’m also guessing that some parents don’t want their children drinking alcohol. (A small amount of wine will have zero harmful effects on a child. Many parents will give their children medicines that have drugs in them that are more intoxicating than wine. In fact, it is best if children get used to having wine, as they will be receiving communion every week for the rest of their lives.)

But I believe wine is a more fitting symbol for the Christian life we receive when we take communion. Here are just a few reasons:

1 - Wine is bitter, not sweet.

The Christian life is not like candy. To live faithfully as a Christian, one must learn to endure suffering patiently. When Jesus went to the cross, he called it “the cup.” He is referring to the cup of blessing and the cup of wrath, images used throughout the Old Testament. Then in Revelation, the martyred saints fill the cups of wrath with their own blood; the seven bowls are parallels to the cup that is filled with Jesus’ martyred blood. To drink the cup of the Lord is to prepare oneself for suffering and martyrdom. Can such preparation be done with Welch’s grape juice?

It is not that wine has no sweetness to it—it is a complex mix of bitterness and sweetness. And precisely because of this complexity, it is a much more fitting symbol for the experience of the Christian life.

2 - Wine is intoxicating, making the heart glad.

In the Bible, the intoxicating qualities of wine are often talked about in parallel with the joy of the Holy Spirit. Psalm 104 says, 

You cause the grass to grow for the livestock 

and plants for man to cultivate, 

that he may bring forth food from the earth 

and wine to gladden the heart of man, 

oil to make his face shine 

and bread to strengthen man’s heart. (Ps. 104:14-15)

Notice the parallel of bread and wine, gladness and strength—precisely what the Lord intends to give us at his table. Even in the New Testament, when the early Christians were first given the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, people thought they had been drinking wine (Acts 2:12-13). Similarly, the Apostle Paul parallels drunkenness and the filling of the Spirit (Eph. 5:18). The Christian life is about finding deep joy in coming to know the grace of Jesus Christ. The intoxicating effects of wine are part of the reason why it is a fitting symbol of being filled with the Spirit. 

3 - Wine is an acquired taste.

The other thing about wine is that most people don’t like it when they first drink it. In fact, if you compare it to grape juice, most people like their first drink of grape juice but eventually grow out of it. Whereas with wine, they dislike their first drink but then grow into it. That is how life in Christ is. The more you grow into it, the deeper its beauty and richness. The Christian life is an acquired taste, not an easy pleasure.

For these reasons, I think it is important that children take the wine and not the grape juice. We are trying to teach them that this isn’t just a snack—they are receiving the body and blood of the Son of God. They should come forward with reverence and awe. As the wine burns down their throats, it should instill in them a sense of, “I will receive whatever suffering my Father appoints for me and drink whatever cup he asks me to drink. I will be willing to offer my own blood for the sake of the gospel and follow my king to the cross. I will drink the grace of Jesus that will intoxicate my heart far more deeply than any drug or drink.”

That kind of message is simply not communicated by grape juice. Only the symbol of dark red wine will do.

Grape Juice is Like a Mediocre Sermon

So if grape juice is clearly inferior, does that mean that someone who is not taking the wine is actually not taking communion? Are they not receiving the grace of Jesus? What is actually happening at the supper? I was speaking at a retreat for the elders of a new church recently, and this topic came up during the evening hangout in the hot tub. The best analogy I could come up with for explaining the effect of taking grape juice is that it is like a mediocre sermon. Can a mediocre sermon communicate the grace of Christ to you? Absolutely. The Holy Spirit often uses them to show his power and glory. Should we prefer rich sermons that open to us the nuances and beauties of the word of God? Absolutely.

Historically, theologians have regarded the sacrament as a “visible gospel.” The Supper is a sermon you eat instead of hear. It enters your body through your mouth instead of your ears. Just as a mediocre sermon is still a sermon, and is used by the Holy Spirit, so is grape juice. 

But as we long to know the depth and beauty of Christ in all his fullness, let us major on receiving the element that he not only chose when he instituted the Supper but also created in the beginning for this purpose. Wine was meant to point us to Jesus, so let’s let it do so.