God’s Winemaking Process: The Pressure

We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed

2 Corinthians 4:8-9 NIV

Yesterday, we spoke about the necessary preparation for a new wine, specifically the need for a new wine skin which in a sense, connotes our need to develop capacity ahead of what God will do in our lives. Having meditated on the symbolism of the new wine, today we turn our attention to the actual process of wine production.

One of the most important parts of the winemaking process is crushing, the process of trampling the grapes under foot till they are broken and shredded.

The point of crushing is not merely to juice the grapes, but to get the juice running – to get the sugars and the yeasts intermingling by breaking the grapes skin. This allows the yeast to begin turning the sugar into alcohol and carbon dioxide. In other words, it’s not really going to become wine if you don’t crush the grapes. You can get some great grape juice, but you’re not going to get the fine wine you’re looking for.

The process of crushing is painful but without it the best of the wine will never emerge. The more intense the crushing pressure, the better the wine. No wonder the Apostle Paul says, We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair;  persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may also be revealed in our mortal body (2 Corinthians 4:8-12). 

The pressure you are feeling is a signal of a great wine to come. Our world is getting drunk on the inferior wine that cannot satisfy their true thirst but through us a new wine will emerge. Hang in there, the crushing process will soon be over, and your life will become the beauty that the world longs to behold.

PRAYER