On my recent trip to Israel, I saw several ancient winepresses. They were usually carved into the rock, had a flat surface where the grapes would be tread upon by foot, and had a channel or hole where the juice of the grapes would run down into a vat where it would ferment. Each time that our group saw a winepress, our tour guide would point out that the grapes needed to be pressed by foot in such a way so as to not crush the seeds. Crushing the seeds would cause the wine to be bitter.
Jesus came to earth to save us from our sins and to “proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor” (Luke 4:19). As was promised by God and foretold by the prophets, Jesus suffered and died. His blood was spilled out for us, much like the juice of the grapes in a winepress. But although His blood was spilled and He died on a cross, Jesus rose on the third day. And when we, as Christians, commemorate His sacrifice through communion, we drink of the juice of the grape, which represents His blood. And that juice is sweet, not bitter. Jesus was pressed like the grapes in a winepress, but He was not crushed.
Jesus is coming again. When that will be, no one knows but God. But, He is coming. And when He comes it will be “the day of vengeance of our God” (Isaiah 61:2). Jesus will come to establish His kingdom on earth. He will come to render the final defeat to the enemy and all who follow him. Jesus will come from heaven on a white horse to strike down the enemy. Jesus will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God (Revelation 19:15). From that winepress will flow the wine of God’s wrath and all who choose to reject Him and serve the enemy will drink of that wine (Revelation 14:9-10). The enemy will be crushed and that wine, the blood of the enemy, will be bitter.
The choice is ours. We can follow Jesus and drink of the fruit of the vine that is sweet. Or we can reject Him and one day drink of the wine of God’s wrath, a wine that is bitter. If you have never made a decision to follow Jesus, why not do so today? Jesus came so that we can have eternal life in heaven in the presence of God. We cannot earn eternal life by doing good deeds or by being a good person. We are all sinners and have fallen short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). We need a Savior, and His name is Jesus. If you would like to accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior, say this prayer:
“Dear Jesus, I believe that You came and that You died for me so that I may have eternal life with You and the Father. I confess that I am a sinner. But, Jesus, I am ready to turn from my sin and to follow You. I accept You as the Lord and Savior of my life. In Your name, I pray. Amen.”
If you say that prayer from the bottom of your heart, please tell someone. Connect with a church, pick up a Bible, and learn what it means to be a follower of Jesus.
A Worshiper's Journal 