Life as a Grape

Real Christians have been described in many different ways over the years.... they're disciples, they're image bearers of God, they're courageous, they're loving, they're filled with joy, and they're faithful.

They're also grapes.

Around two weeks ago, I (Hannah) was browsing around Ellerslie's website when I found a message called "Life as a Grape". I thought the title sounded entertaining, so I checked it out during my quiet time that day. A large part of this devotional is based on the ideas brought up in that message. After listening to that sermon, I started taking a real interest in grapes. My dad and I have figured out lots of different ways to eat grapes over the years. Our most recent rendition is putting grapes in the freezer for a few hours, and eating them during football games. I never realized how sweet grapes were!

Me and my dad weren't the first ones to figure that out. For years, the "pressing of grapes" was a huge ceremony that was always full of rejoicing. People would literally stomp and dance around in the grapes to squash them, and pour out their sweet juice. Grapes were tended lovingly in their vineyards, but ultimately, it was for a purpose:

Grapes Are Tended to be Poured Out

Think about a grape for a minute. What really makes a grape sweet?  I don't know if you've ever tried a grape skin by itself  (I've only done it once), but they're pretty disgusting. The life that makes the grape what it is, is its juice.

People don't plant vineyards so that the grapes can live a happy life on a vine, and then grow lifeless and shriveled up in a few weeks. Grapes are designed for more. Grapes are grown so that the life inside them can be poured out.

Christians are exactly the same. God didn't set us on this earth so that we could live a happy comfortable life for a few decades, and then die. Think of how unsatisfying that would be!  All humans seem to come to a point in their lives where they realize that there must be some purpose to their existence, or else it's all meaningless. We were made to be poured out, for His glory.

Two Cups (Two Comings, in Revelation)

When God created mankind, He gave us minds of our own; we're accountable for our own decisions. Ultimately, we have two choices on this earth: glorify God, or glorify self. There's no middle ground. Either Jesus has control of our lives, or He doesn't.

When it comes to the grape metaphor, there are two cups referenced in scripture: the cup of Life, and the cup of Wrath. The cup of Life holds a massive amount of significance in the New Testament. On Sundays, we drink out of this cup during Communion.

Matthew 26:27-28

New International Version (NIV)

27 Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. 28 This is my blood of the[a] covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. (emphasis added)

The cup of Life is the cup of the new covenant of Jesus Christ. He gave His life up on a cross to give us that cup. THAT is the cup into which we, as Christians, are designed to pour ourselves. We were created for the sole purpose of glorifying God. 

The cup of Wrath, on the other hand, is filled when we put ourselves above God. Those who thirst for righteousness will receive the cup of Life, but Jeremiah makes it clear that those who thirst for unrighteousness will get exactly that:

Jeremiah 25:15

New International Version (NIV)

The Cup of God’s Wrath

¹⁵ This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, said to me: “Take from my hand this cup filled with the wine of my wrath and make all the nations to whom I send you drink it...¹⁷ So I took the cup from the Lord’s hand and made all the nations to whom he sent me drink it...²⁸ But if they refuse to take the cup from your hand and drink, tell them, ‘This is what the Lord Almighty says: You must drink it!

The Bible doesn't sugar-coat the dangers of a self-centered life. Throughout the gospels, we can see through Jesus' interactions with the Pharisees that those who live only for themselves have no place in the Kingdom of Heaven. I always think it's interesting that it's the Pharisees - the church leaders of the day - that Jesus references here. Even followers of God can fill the cup of Wrath. The phrase "thirsting for unrighteousness" isn't normally used in our modern-day vocabulary, but think about it.......how often does that describe us?  How often do we WANT to sin?  How often do we long to make ourselves the center of our lives?  I'll be the first to confess - I struggle with that all the time.

As C.S. Lewis once said, there are going to be two types of people on judgement day: those who, while they were on earth, sincerely prayed "Thy will be done," and those to whom God will say, "Thy will be done."

It's definitely easier to fill the cup of Wrath. All we have to do is follow our own nature of sin, and await the results. The call to fill the cup of Life is much more difficult. Look back at Matthew 26... "This is my blood, which is poured out for the forgiveness of sin." The cup of life is filled with blood. Jesus Christ, the ultimate grape, had to pour out everything He had to fill that cup. But He was willing to, for the joy set before Him (Hebrews 12:2). Are we?

The Winepress 

Grapes can release their juice through plenty of different ways, but, really, it's when the grapes are crushed that the sweetness inside truly comes out. That's when our biggest opportunity to fill the cup of life shows itself. 

When the people of this world are crushed, bitterness and anger are all usually the emotions displayed. But when God's Grapes are crushed, spectators see something entirely different flowing forth: love, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, self-control. And JOY. 

Christian grapes have endured torturous crushing over the years:

      Stephen was stoned.
      Philip was crucified.
      Paul was beaten, imprisoned and beheaded
      Matthew was slain with the sword
      James was stoned and clubbed
      Matthias was stoned and beheaded
      Mark was dragged to pieces
      Jude was crucified
      Bartholemew was severely beaten and crucified
      Thomas was thrust through with a spear
      Luke was hung
      Simon was crucified
      John was thrown into boiling oil, and exiled to Patmos
      Peter was crucified upside down

The reactions?

"I am greatly encouraged; in all our troubles, my joy knows no bounds." (Paul, 2 Corinthians 7:4b)

"In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy.." (Peter, 1 Peter 1:6-8)


 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you." (Jesus, Matthew 5:11-12)


"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!" (Paul, Philippians 4:4)
 

These are some really, really tough ideas to implement into life. But guys?  Have you ever noticed that grapes ALWAYS grow in clusters?  You are not alone, as you seek to pour yourself out for Jesus. Feel free to comment, drop me a Hangout or email me, I'd love to pray for you.




#inspiredbyEricLudy'smessageLifeAsAGrape