The Winepress

“Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations (a pressing, pressing together, pressure; metaph: oppression, affliction, tribulation, distress, straits), knowing that tribulation produces perseverance (steadfastness, constancy, endurance; in the NT the characteristic of a man who is not swerved from his deliberate purpose and his loyalty to faith and piety by even the greatest trials and sufferings; a patient, steadfast waiting; a patient enduring, sustaining) and perseverance, character; and character, hope (expectation of good; joyful and confident expectation of eternal salvation; the Author of hope or He Who is its foundation; the thing hoped for). Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit Who was given to us.” Romans 5:1-5

In these passages, we learn that tribulations (a pressing, pressing together, pressure; metaph: oppression, affliction, tribulation, distress, straits) produce perseverance, perseverance, character, character, hope and hope does not disappoint.

When I ponder the nature of tribulations, what comes to mind is the ancient art of wine making. In Ancient Rome, for instance, a wine press was a device used to extract juice from crushed grapes. The press exerted carefully controlled pressure in order to free the juice from the grapes. The wine maker was careful to apply just the right pressure to avoid crushing the seeds and releasing a great deal of undesirable tannins—bitter plant chemical, into the wine.

Does it ever feel like you are in a wine press? If you have placed your heart in the hands of the Master Vinedresser (John 15:1), do not despair, He knows just how much pressure to apply to avoid crushing you to the point of bitterness. 

Ancient Roman wine making involved treading the grapes by foot quickly after harvesting. The treading process released the sweet juice from the grape--the juice which was most prized. Only through brokenness could the sweet juice be accessed. The Master Vinedresser sovereignly allows experiences and circumstances into our lives to facilitate a pressing and subsequent brokenness in order to produce the sweet aroma of Christ in our lives.

The construction and use of Roman wine presses was specific, labor intensive and expensive. The wine press was comprised of horizontal beams placed across a basin attached to a rope and heavy weights. The crushed grapes were placed between the beams, pressure was applied by winding down the heavy weights, allowing the pressed juice to run down between the beams into a basin. in a way in which the wine maker would have easy access to the newly pressed juice. The wines were often exposed to high temperatures and "baked" or boiled to concentrate the sugars. 

Jesus was betrayed, beaten, mocked, and crucified. During this intense time of pressing, Jesus responded, "...saying, 'Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.'” (Luke 22:42) Jesus was broken and crushed. He died and was buried. Three days later He rose from the dead. In His surrender to the Master Vinedresser, God's perfect will was accomplished. He paid the price so we could live. Jesus' sacrifice makes it possible for us to enter into life and an intimate relationship with Him.

In the estates where pressing was used, the grapes were pressed several times. The juice that came from last pressings were coarser and more bitter. Being crushed beyond the divinely controlled pressure, releases a great deal of tannins (bitterness) in our lives. If we are emitting bitterness, it is a sure sign that the Master Vinedresser had no part in that particular process.

Whether it is due to life’s devastations, disappointments, trials, trauma, etc., or an all out attack from the enemy, if you feel crushed to the point of bitterness, this is not the result of the pressing done by the Master Vinedresser. “For the enemy has persecuted my soul; he has crushed my life to the ground; he has made me dwell in darkness, like those who have long been dead. Therefore my spirit is overwhelmed within me; my heart within me is distressed. I remember the days of old; I meditate on all Your works; I muse on the work of Your hands” (Ps. 145:3-5).

He only presses to the point to which He extracts the sweet juice He is after…anything else is not of Him. “We are hard pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed--always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body” (1 Cor. 4:8-10).

After pressing, the grape must--freshly pressed juice that contains the skins, seeds, and stems of the fruit--was stored in large earthenware jars. The jars were then partially buried into the floors of the barn (from two to four weeks) to ferment before the wine was removed and stored in vessels.

For each of us, there is a time after the pressing when we are “stored away” in order to "ferment," enhancing sweetness. This final process is necessary in order to create the wine (life) which is mature, ready for pleasurable consumption (influential in the lives of others). 

The pressing (trials, tribulations, “baking,” and “boiling”) and hiding away is purposeful. James 1:2-4 reminds us, "My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials,  knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing." Once the process is finished, we are then mature, ready to reflect the sweetness of the Master Vinedresser in a profound and influential way.

You see, the ultimate goal in the pressing process is for the Master Vinedresser to see His image reflected in us, allowing us to reflect His beauty to those around us. If you are feeling broken due to the pressure, know this: “The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves such as have a contrite spirit” (Ps. 34:18). “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, a broken and a contrite heart-- these, O God, You will not despise” (Ps. 51:17). Your brokenness is precious in His sight.

The Lord has us in the palm of His hand. He gently guides us, He does not press to the point of crushing. 

Remember: “A bruised reed He will not break, and smoking flax He will not quench; He will bring forth justice for truth. He will not fail nor be discouraged, till He has established justice in the earth; and the coastlands shall wait for His law” (Is. 42:3-4).