For the months of May and June, we’re exploring God’s handiwork in our lives. The last few weeks, we’ve meditated on the analogy of a vineyard to understand the purpose for which we were created and how God tenderly cares for us. This week, this fourth devotion helps us understand the depths of God’s love for us, His vineyard:

IN WORD - “I had planted you like a choice vine of sound and reliable stock,” God says to Israel (Jeremiah 2:21). “How then did you turn against me into a corrupt, wild vine?” Jeremiah’s refrain is a haunting echo of the song of the vineyard in Isaiah. The Vinedresser was incredulous. How could such agricultural expertise have resulted in so little fruit? It just didn’t make sense.
But in a way, God’s question in Isaiah 5:4 is rhetorical. There was something more the Vinedresser could do, and He did it in the Gospels. In one of Jesus’ parables, He said that the owner sent His Son into the vineyard to hold the tenants accountable, but the tenants killed Him (Matthew 21:33-40). The Son made the ultimate sacrifice for the harvest. Harvests don’t come cheaply. Any farmer can tell you that. A good harvest requires a lot of labor, wisdom, and love, and that’s exactly what God has provided on our behalf. Paul addressed this concept in Romans 8:32: “He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?” In other words, a serpent’s lie in the Garden notwithstanding, God has not withheld anything from His people. He has paid extraordinary costs for extraordinary blessings. He was determined to have His harvest.
IN DEED – Jesus knew exactly what He was doing when He told that parable in Matthew 21. He was boldly and bluntly pointing to Isaiah 5 and telling the Jewish leaders that they had not borne the fruit God intended; but even their fruitlessness would have been forgiven if they had accepted the Vine. The key to fruitfulness is to accept it. Make Isaiah’s question personal: “What more could God have done for me than He has already done—or than He will continue to do?” The answer is, “Nothing.” God would not have made such a high sacrifice for you to abandon it now. He will see fruit in your life. “Ask Him for it today. He offered His cross to God as a sacrifice in order to make us all rich.” —Ephrem the Syrian (theologian) (in “Worship the King” by Chris Tiegreen)

God as our vinedresser has not just planted each of us in His vineyard for a purpose. When we sinned and rebelled, God went above and beyond the role of vinedresser and sent His Son Jesus to make atonement for us. His blood was the antidote for the poison of our rebellion. Reflect this week on what Jesus has done for us by meditating on Hebrews 1-6. May Christ’s sacrifice give you confidence to enter God’s Presence and to enjoy God’s fruitful life for you. Have a blessed week! – from Singapore, Pastor Sam