Crushed

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This world can be a difficult place. Most of us, at some point in our life, will feel stomped on, crushed or ground up by worldly events. Jesus was also ground down in this life and crushed by the weight of all of our sins. A quick examination of the process that a grape goes through to become wine and grain goes through to become bread, reveals a striking similarity to Jesus’ life. They too, must be crushed. Perhaps we need to go through the same process, to become what He calls us to be, living food and drink for others. I invite you to read more.

The process from vine /field to table is remarkably similar for grapes and grain. Here is what the process looks like:

Grapes

1. Crushed/Stomped On
2. Fermented with yeast
3. Clarification/strained
4. Aged/bottled

Grain

1. Milled by grinding stones
2. Allowed to rise with yeast
3. Kneaded and then baked
4. Packaged

Jesus gave His body to us as bread and His blood to us as wine. He is the food that sustains eternal life (John 6:22-59). Now He is calling us to give of ourselves too. If grapes and grain had feelings, there is no doubt that the process from grape on the vine to wine in the bottle and the process from wheat in the field to bread on the bakery shelf would be excruciating. They must be crushed, ground down and strained. Our life often resembles this process. It is comforting to know that the Master is with us, overseeing every step of our processing.

We must remember that after the grapes are crushed and the wheat is ground they produce the world’s finest wines and gourmet artisan breads. So if you are currently experiencing the grind of life, the crushing weight of recurring sin, the everyday strain of human existence or the fermenting process of grief, try to keep your eyes looking forward. We must never lose hope, never despair and never give up. Ultimately God knows that we can become choice wine and delicious bread that feeds others. God is preparing a great banquet and we are called to be part of the feast.

We must also remember that even before going through processing the grape and the wheat had to first be chosen by the vintner and harvester. God is that vintner and God is the harvester. He has chosen you (Isaiah 43:1) and me to be bread and wine on His table and in His Kingdom.

Jesus understands our brokenness and trials. He knows the crushing existence of this life. He lived it. He knows grief. He experienced it. He knows pain. He endured it. Jesus knew we would endure these things and yet He still chose us. He has great things planned for us.

Don’t think for a moment if you are going through a period in your life where you feel crushed and bruised that God has abandoned you. God remains close to those who are broken (Psalm 34:18-19) and He will not allow any of us to endure more than we can (1 Corinthians 10:13). As I said, God has great things in store for each of us. He expects us to be fruitful in His Kingdom. He wants us to allow ourselves to be poured out and shared by others. He hopes that we will become part of His Heavenly banquet.

Knowing what God has in store for us, let’s try to keep the grinding process of life in perspective. If we live our life with love and kindness towards others who are also being crushed down by the world, we might just become their communion meal (Hebrews 6:10). Pray that they will come to taste the freshness, sweetness, love, mercy and compassion of Jesus in and through us.

Heavenly Father you know all about the pains and trials that we face each day. Give us courage to face the process of sharing in your Son’s cross. Father, like Jesus, please make my life food for others in need, amen.

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Brian Pusateri

Brian is a Christian author and speaker. Brian, a lifelong Catholic, felt his life was forever changed when God spoke to his heart while attending an eight day silent Christian retreat in November of 2011. Soon after that retreat Brian founded 4th Day Letters and Broken Door Ministries. With the God inspired message of mercy and unconditional love that was placed on his heart during that retreat, Brian has been impacting others all over the country and around the world with his weekly letters, his talks, and his all day Christian retreats. In June of 2014, Brian’s life was again impacted in a very dramatic way when his eyesight suddenly became permanently impaired. The initial diagnosis was Multiple Scleroses (MS) but in December of 2019 the diagnosis was corrected to MOG antibody disease, a rare neurological disease. This health challenge has only served to draw Brian closer to God and bolster the importance of this timely yet ageless message.

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