Wine is a drink made from fermented grape juice, commonly found in Bible lands where grapes grow freely. Wine has some health and medicinal value (see Luke 10:34; 1 Timothy 5:23).

In Israel, wine was forbidden to those who had undertaken a special relationship with God-the Nazirites, and priests on duty-since it might reduce their spiritual awareness. One family in Israel, the Rechabites, were commended by Jeremiah because their father had instructed them not to drink wine at all and they had obeyed him, whereas Israel, God's people, had not obeyed their Father (in Jeremiah 35).

When we remember Jesus in breaking bread, we also see wine as the symbol of the poured out blood of the Lord Jesus Christ, representing his death on the cross for us: "In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, 'This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.'" (Luke 22:20).

(See also BREAD, BREAKING BREAD, LAST SUPPER).