It has been claimed by opponents of prohibition, who seek to justify the use of intoxicating beverages, that Jesus approved the use of these in providing wine at the wedding feast in Cana of Galilee, as recorded in the second chapter of the Gospel of John. In the illumination which the understanding of Christian Science imparts, this miracle is inspiring and beautiful. It is highly important, however, that "this beginning of miracles" be scientifically interpreted, in order that the subsequent works wrought by him may be clearly understood. All these works are based upon the same divine Principle which made possible this first recorded miracle, the turning of water into wine at the marriage feast.
Christian Science reveals Christ as the spiritual idea of God, in accord with the first chapter of Genesis, which declares, "God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them." It was the spiritual idea, or Christ, that animated and inspired Jesus and won for him the title "Christ Jesus." It enabled him to behold the real man in God's likeness—not the man and woman mentioned in the second chapter of Genesis, but the male and female of God's creating, as recorded in the first chapter. In this scientific understanding of the perfect, spiritual man "the Lamb's wife presents the unity of male and female as no longer two wedded individuals, but as two individual natures in one" (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, by Mrs. Eddy, p. 577).
Christ Jesus could not have turned the water into wine at the marriage feast if his had been the material concept of man which the carnal mind accepts, and which is spoken of in the second record of creation, where man is described as formed "of the dust of the ground" and woman as made from one of his ribs. In this record the male and female are created at different times; they are not one, and they are so far from being the likeness of God that they are later driven out of Eden for the sin of disobedience to God. Mrs. Eddy declares (Science and Health, p. 57), "Union of the masculine and feminine qualities constitutes completeness." Webster defines the word "complete," in part, as "entire; perfect; consummate." This was Jesus' concept of man—complete, the male and female of Life's and Love's creating, whom God has joined to-gether in that union which reflects the likeness of the Father-Mother God. This is the true unity spiritually understood, the union of purity with spiritual understanding. This reflection reveals the nature and completeness of God, making God known as Father-Mother, infinite wisdom and tender Love.
