“On that day sing about a desirable vineyard: I am the LORD, who watches over it to water it regularly. So that no one disturbs it, I watch over it night and day.”Isaiah 27:2-3 (CSB)
Reflection: what is required to produce a fine wine?
The ability to make wine is about as old as time itself. And one fascinating aspect of wine and winemaking is that the grapevine itself has all the elements in itself needed to make great wine. First of all, you need the right kind of soil, climate and conditions for specific kinds of grape varieties. The most choice areas are small and therefore highly sought after. During the growing season, work like pruning and watering is continually needed in the vineyard to nurture the best crop before it can be harvested. And, the harvest must happen at the exact right time to ensure the grapes are optimal in maturity, to ultimately achieve the best quality of wine. Once harvested, there is a lengthy process, including crushing, fermentation, and various storage to finally achieve the desired result. And, once a wine is finally bottled, it might be years before it has reached its peak of maturity in flavor and balance.
Because of all the knowledge, the nurturing, the time and investment needed for producing wine, a single bottle of a fine wine can be sold for hundreds of dollars. At the same time, you can also find cheap wine, mass produced, for only a few dollars. And regardless of what you think about wine, it is interesting that the Lord Himself frequently uses analogies of vineyard and vines, the process of wine making, and the wine itself throughout the Bible, to teach us various principles of the kingdom of heaven, such as in our focus verses today.
In the opening description, Isaiah refers to “a desirable vineyard”. This vineyard has to be in the optimal location, with the best soil, weather conditions for the grape varietals planted there. And, then we learn that the vineyard belongs to the Lord God Himself, Jehovah, the only true God. And He is in fact the vineyard gardener, or the “vinedresser” Himself, watching over His desirable vineyard, and will “water it regularly.” The vines are not lacking anything. In fact, the Lord also ensures “that no one disturbs it”, so He will “watch over it night and day.” We see that the work of a vinedresser is very involved, and very laborious, if he wants to produce fine wine, that is.
Jesus also used this analogy, and said ““I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:1-5 ESV. Jesus talks here about the importance of “abiding in him”.
What does that mean, to abide in Jesus?
“If anyone does not abide in me, he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.” John 15:6-11 ESV. Notice what “abiding in Jesus” really means. It is not just having a good feeling about being a Christian; it is keeping his commandments.
Feel like you are getting pruned lately?
Our loving Father watches over His desirable vineyard. He protects, waters, prunes, and waits for each branch to bear fruit; good fruit. Sometimes the pruning can feel pretty hard, even painful. But we have to trust the vinedresser; He knows what He is doing. He only accepts good fruit for His wine. We cannot produce any fruit by ourselves, but only by abiding in Jesus. By studying and keeping his commandments, we will bear good fruit, to the delight of the Father. And, by our good fruit, the Lord will produce the most choice, the finest wine.
