Then they brought Jesus to the place called Golgotha (which means the place of a skull). And they offered him wine mixed with myrrh; but he did not take it. (Mark 15: 22-23)

The wine with myrrh was offered as an intoxicant to lessen the pain of impaling.

Jesus demurred. There are experiences that should be fully engaged. There are pains that we are to embrace wholly.

Too often - especially with pain - we seek to delay, deny, or diminish the experience. As a result the meaning can be lessened or lost.

Physical and spiritual pain can be a great teacher. But, if so, we must be open and attentive to the teaching.

In his first miracle Jesus changed water into wine to enhance the joy of a wedding.

At the last supper Jesus shared a cup of wine as the symbol of a transformative relationship.

In his final hours Jesus refused a cup of wine that would have lessened his engagement with reality.