The Central Coast is the perfect environment for a variety of vineyards. The microclimates that are familiar to us allow for the proliferation of a wide range of grapes. The climate and soil of Edna Valley allows grapes for white wines to be grown there. The area around Paso Robles is better for red wines. Soil conditions, temperature, moisture, and more contribute to what kinds of grapes can be grown successfully in the area.

One of the pastors in our circuit, who also acted as circuit visitor during the call process, lives on a property that has been in his family for generations. The family has a long history of cultivating vines, growing grapes, and pressing wines. Pastors from the area were invited to the home for a social gathering at the beginning of September. We were privileged to a jeep tour of the vineyard. Two clusters of grapes – one red and one green – were picked and we ate the fruit in its freshness. Our host spoke about what they grow, what varieties were having a good year, and the work that goes into the process. It is far more complicated than picking and pressing the harvest.

Jesus used many parables about vines and vineyards, workers and winepresses to teach his disciples about the kingdom of God. But lessons from the vineyard did not originate with the Lord Jesus. There are Old Testament writings that are also lessons about vines and vineyards, and the abundance of wine.

Isaiah 5:1 (ESV) – Let me sing for my beloved my love song concerning his vineyard: My beloved had a vineyard on a very fertile hill.

Isaiah 5 begins by introducing one of the vineyard songs in the book. The prophet is singing the song, then God’s voice takes over. Though it begins well, the vineyard in Isaiah 5 is far from its origin of a pleasant planting. The vineyard has not produced the crop that was expected and so its protection will be removed and it will be trampled. As Isaiah shared this prophecy of God, the people were straying from the way of the Lord.

What other lessons from the vineyard can we learn? Join us in the Sanctuary on Sundays or via the worship stream, radio, or telephone (instructions are in the newsletter), to consider this brief series of Lessons from the Vineyard that God wants us to learn.