Christian Counseling Service -- Devotions

Staring down the grapes of wrath

Friday, March 6, 2015

Matthew 21:34-35
When vintage time drew near, the owner of the vineyard sent his servants to the tenants to obtain his produce. But the tenants seized the servants, and one they beat, another they killed, and a third they stoned.

Let's face it. We are in line to be beaten, stoned, or killed. Maybe all three. Those who follow God are the servants He sends to the tenants. The servants know that the wine belongs to the vineyard owner, but the tenants are convinced that all these grapes, trampled out vintages year after year, belong to them.

So we're in trouble. Hot water. What to do?

What are the instructions of the owner? In the story, Jesus does not answer the question but asks his listeners what they think. They are convinced that the owner will seek vindication and kill those nasty tenants.

In other words, the owner and his servants will strike back. They believe, like all of us do until the Holy Spirit changes us, in redemptive violence. "Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord, he is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored. He has loosed the fateful lightning of his terrible swift sword."

Just be sure you're on the right side. Servant, not tenant. Union, not Confederate. The servants get beaten, stoned, and killed; but the tenants are destroyed absolutely.

As I write this in Austin a storm is raging outside Andi and Aki's home. The temperature in balmy Texas dropped in four hours from 68 to 38. The wind roars, black clouds rush across the sky. But tomorrow promises to be sunny and cold and calm.

The texts in today's readings are full of violence. WE are full of violence. We are prey to cold fronts in our chests, where winds of our own making roar in wild abandon. We can't help ourselves. We MUST exercise the power of our own righteousness. Heads will roll. In Isaiah 30 God pleads with us to calm down. "In quietness and trust is your strength." He knows we are not good at hearing these words. Just so. But even then, "The Lord longs to be gracious to you, he will rise up to show you compassion." We are the sheep of God's pasture, all of us, and the shepherd isn't going anywhere.

Beating a path for us, Lord, you cut down weeds, you move the stones, and then call us to come. We aren't always quick to answer. Please forgive us, Lord. Your path leads to still waters, to tables of living food prepared for us in the presence of our enemies. We don't need to beat them back; we need to follow your path, and let you feed us. Show us how every day.

Devotions Archive

Staring down the grapes of wrath

Friday, March 6, 2015