Vineyard The the Cross Lessons from our True Vine Kurt Senske
Vineyard The the Introduction Cross Lessons from our True Vine Kurt Senske The complexity of a vineyard, the miracles that occur throughout the cycles of the seasons, the craft of the grape growers humbly fulfilling their vocation, all provide us with a rich lens to rediscover invigorate our own lives as followers of Christ the Crucified. Join me on this walk through the Vineyard, being led by the Cross of Christ, during the days of Lent any time as we drink in what our Lord has to say through the imagery of wine in the shadow of his sacrifice for us. Kurt Senske, author I am the vine; you are the branches. John 15:5 2 TheVineyard thecross
Tasting God s Word Oh, taste see that the Lord is good. Psalm 34:8 Consider how intimately we taste a good wine noticing the depth of its color, smelling the cork, carefully pouring swirling it in the glass, taking a deep whiff to experience its nose, savoring it in our mouths. What would happen if we created rituals to taste the Scriptures in a similar manner, pondering over treating each verse in the Bible with the same careful attention we give to tasting our wine? Would we rediscover that only God s Word can satisfy our deepest needs? We are invited to taste God s faithfulness deep love for each of us. Let us go back to the well, to God s Word, drink deeply of his wisdom, comms promises. Provide us with the wisdom to pause reconnect drink deeply of your Word so that we taste see that you are good, O Lord. Amen. What is Your Varietal Character? I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:5 Wine enthusiasts often assess a grape s distinct varietal character in language that on occasion borders on the inane. Buttery, chewy, nutty, smoky, full-bodied are just a few descriptors of the varietal character of a good Chardonnay. The question that you I must wrestle with is, What is our varietal character? Would our descriptors include a whiff of self-centeredness? The faintest detection of a concern for others? Or, would our neighbors approvingly note that we possess a pleasing aroma of Christ-like service? Our varietal character will never live up to Christ s perfect stards. However, because we are forgiven, each day is an opportunity to begin anew. Dear Jesus, walk with us as we enhance our own varietal character in service to you. Amen. TheVineyard thecross 3
The Treading of the Winepress And they went out into the field gathered the grapes from their vineyards trod them held a festival. Judges 9:27 The work of pressing the grapes by human feet was difficult. In biblical times the owners of the vineyard would make the harvest festive, playing uplifting music which would encourage the workers to dance faster. Compare that picture with the foretelling of the suffering of Jesus in Gethsemane in Isaiah: I have trodden the winepress alone (Isaiah 63:3). Jesus is left all alone with even his three most trusted companions asleep. As forgiven workers in Christ we are secure emboldened by the knowledge that we no longer must trod the winepress of our lives alone. Rather, we have the privilege of dancing in service community with our fellow believers receiving strength from our Savior, who has trod the road to heaven for us. Thank you, Jesus, for your ultimate sacrifice for us. Strengthen us on our way as we await the day when we will dance in celebration of the Resurrection. Amen. Staying Connected to the Vine I am the true vine, my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. John 15:1-2 A branch doesn t have to work very hard to grow grapes. However, it does have to stay connected to the vine. St. Paul explains that this is because the branch doesn t support the vine. Rather, the vine supports the branch (Romans 11:18). In the Holy Spirit, we stay connected to the vine through prayerful study of his Word. God speaks to us in his Word we continue the conversation 4 TheVineyard thecross
with him through constant prayer. Just as old Zinfel vines produce a fine wine, staying connected to our Lord Savior will also produce the miracle of bearing fruit as we worship serve him. O God, strengthen our relationship with your Son so that we may continue to stay connected to the vine bear fruit in your name. Amen. Complexity Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks of the water that I give him will never be thirsty again. John 4:13-14 Wine is distinguished from other beverages by its complexity. You become compelled to engage in another sip or smell because each time you discover a nuance, expression or subtle change in its tasting notes. We can approach our faith journey in a similar fashion. Intensely studying certain verses, parables or historical events, prayerfully asking for discernment, understing the culture place, reading the study notes, discussing in Bible study, all provide us with Spiritfilled illumination that compels us to go back to the well for more. When we incorporate these rituals into our daily lives, we find ourselves intoxicated with the Gospel, filled with the desire to serve those whom God has placed in our path. O God, pour over us the power of the Holy Spirit as we study ponder your Word in glory service to you. Amen. A branch doesn t have to work very hard to grow grapes. However, it does have to stay connected to the vine. TheVineyard thecross 5
How Do You Finish? For I am already being poured out as a drink offering I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 2 Timothy 4:6-7 Wine aficionados talk about a wine s finish the longer a wine s flavors aromas linger in your mouth nose after you have swallowed, the better the wine. It is an important characteristic of a wine s unique personality. We can also ask of ourselves, How do we finish? How long favorably do our words actions linger after we leave a business meeting, talk to our spouse or attend our child s soccer game? Remember the words of St. Francis of Assisi, who said, Preach the Gospel at all times when necessary use words, live by this exhortation today. Dear Lord, teach us to fight the good fight as we strive for the finish line in hope of the eternal life to come. Amen. Expressiveness He dug it cleared it of stones, planted it with choice vines; he built a watchtower in the midst of it, hewed out a wine vat in it; he looked for it to yield grapes, but it yielded wild grapes. Isaiah 5:2 One way to judge the quality of wine is through its expressiveness. Does the wine possess clarity focus, or is it muddled diffused? Does the wine communicate something aesthetically or is it merely another beverage? The question for us is, How do we express our Christian faith? What harvest do we yield? Do we daily demonstrate to our spouse, children, co-workers, friends neighbors that we are Christians by our love actions? The answer comes through Christ, who demonstrated on the cross for us how to produce fruit for righteousness. O Savior, help us to live out our faith so the fruit of our service matches the generosity of your loving sacrifice for us. Amen. 6 TheVineyard thecross
Vineyard The the Cross The art of living a Christ-based life, like the art of making a fine wine, is both a blessing a responsibility. Together, they will be explored in these devotions as we are reminded that the miracle we call wine can also instruct us in how we as Christians are to participate daily in the miracle of living a Christ-filled life of worship service. For deeper insights on how Wine the Word bring the message of Good News to us, order Kurt Senske s book, Wine the Word: Savor Serve. Available May 1, 2014, for $12.99 (ISBN: 978-1-889387-76-5). www.creativecommunications.com/senske Lessons from our True Vine Kurt Senske By Kurt Senske. Art design by Jamie Wyatt. Copyright 2013 for the Parish, 1564 Fencorp Dr., Fenton, MO 63026. 1-800-325-9414. www.creativecommunications.com. All rights reserved. Printed in the USA. KS2 This book, along with many other for the Parish products, is available on