This scripture is practical and pertinent for our day, for our situation. Keep this in mind. We can face tomorrow if we remember that the winepress we’re in today has already been trodden.
Isaiah 63:1 “Who is this that cometh from Edom, with dyed garments from Bozrah? this that is glorious in his apparel, travelling in the greatness of his strength? I that speak in righteousness, mighty to save. 2 Wherefore art thou red in thine apparel, and thy garments like him that treadeth in the winefat? 3 I have trodden the winepress alone; and of the people there was none with me: for I will tread them in mine anger, and trample them in my fury; and their blood shall be sprinkled upon my garments, and I will stain all my raiment. 4 For the day of vengeance is in mine heart, and the year of my redeemed is come. 5 And I looked, and there was none to help; and I wondered that there was none to uphold: therefore mine own arm brought salvation unto me; and my fury, it upheld me.”
A winepress was a circular wooden trough with walls. Grapes were brought in from the vineyard and placed inside it. Most people didn’t have big stones, so servants had to stomp the grapes. They cleaned their feet in a specific way in preparation. Performing the task was messy. Their bodies and garments would become heavily stained. We can relate. Grapes and blood stains are the hardest to remove. Some stains cannot be removed. Stains of the soul are like those that cannot be removed by human means. It takes something else. It takes someone else.
Assess your life. Do you feel as if you’re in a winepress and getting nowhere? Have you stomped and stomped? Are you being stomped? Life stains us. Even though we’re saved, at times we can find ourselves in a winepress of sorts. The devil can make life hard on us. You may feel as if you’re going around in circles, stomping but getting slower and slower. You may feel there is no way out. You may feel no one can help. I may not be able to get into your winepress and pull you out, but I know one who can! As far as what others can do, it may be hopeless, but this scripture tells us that before we stepped into our winepress, Jesus had already trodden there.
There was no one who could help Jesus. Most everyone abandoned him. The reason he took it all was for us. It was awful, yet he didn’t refuse it. He knew that if he didn’t tread it we would have no hope in our winepresses. We’d give out and drown with no hope. Thank the Lord he stepped in before I did. I am not alone. It may be the darkest time of life, but it is the time of help. My Redeemer is come.
Verse 1 tells us that the Redeemer was coming from Edom, a place no Jew wanted to be from. He came from a place worse than Isaiah saw. It’s worse that what we’re experiencing. You may feel there is no place worse than the one you’re in, but Jesus came from Calvary. The sins of the entire world were laid on him. He carried the misery of all mankind, not just the misery we face at this very point in time. He was wounded, bruised, and chastised for our spiritual well being. Jesus took all the licks.
Now we can tread a winepress of hope. We have God. Jesus did it because he loves us. He knows exactly where we’ve been. He knows what shape we’re in. You may think your stains are too many, but his blood-stained garment is worse than yours. Your winepress is his. It was full of bitter grapes. Before we were ever thought of, Jesus knew it was there and climbed into it alone. He kept going. He kept stomping until he cried “it is finished.” It was accomplished. The winepress was trodden. Jesus had the stains to prove it.
Here he comes to us today. He doesn’t wear the apparel of defeat. He’s “glorious in his apparel, travelling in the greatness of his strength.” On the third day he came out. He left his blood-stained grave clothes behind. He’s been there and is now walking tall speaking to us in righteousness. He continues with us until all our grapes are squished.
You may feel like you can’t do it anymore. Because Jesus trod it alone, he can get in with you. He will either take you out or carry you. He remains mighty to save! So, Isaiah said “wherefore art thou red in thine apparel, and thy garments like him that treadeth in the winefat?” Why are you defeated as if you have to do this by yourself? Take a look at HIM. He’s your Savior.
Verses 7-8 say “I will mention the loving kindnesses of the LORD, and the praises of the LORD, according to all that the LORD hath bestowed on us, and the great goodness toward the house of Israel, which he hath bestowed on them according to his mercies, and according to the multitude of his loving kindnesses. For he said, Surely they are my people, children that will not lie: so he was their Saviour.”
Take a look at whose coming from Edom. He is ready to deliver you. What is your winepress? You don’t have to take on another stain. The benefit of Jesus treading it alone means you don’t have to. He’s in the midst.
Adwolfe Freewill Baptist Church 