Jesus said that we're going to face troubles in this world. I love the world "trouble." The root word actually means to be pressed like grapes are pressed for wine. The physical grape is crushed and squeezed so that the flavorful, fragrant juices can be leaked out. How often are we pressed? Paul uses the same word in 2 Corinthians 4:8 when he says, "We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed." We are pressed out by things in the world. We are emptied by our circumstances, but there is hope in knowing Christ...
The word "crushed" Paul uses means "to be in a narrow place." We find ourselves in many narrow places, not knowing if we're going to make it through. We feel squeezed by life and the things that are thrown at us by the world. But Jesus says, "Don't be discouraged, I've overcome the world." He's busted through the narrow walls so we can walk in a wide place with sure footing.
We will face the pressing, but it is in the pressing that we become like wine instead of like a grape. Wine lasts far longer than a grape does. Enjoy the pressing. Let life press you out because you don't have to worry about being crushed. Jesus keeps you juicy? I don't think we'll ever use that in a church, nor should we. It's a little weird. Anyway, Jesus keeps you from being completely pressed out. He's overcome the world and all its "troubles."
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