Day 37: Blessed are you, O Lord, our God King of the Universe, who sanctifies us
The sun has slipped below the horizon, the table is set, and the smell of roast lamb permeates the air. The disciples have settled down, their voices quiet, their bodies still, and their eyes thoughtful as they contemplate the Seder elements on the table. Jesus looks around; his heart is heavy, but his voice is clear, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer.” The disciples can hardly bear to look at Jesus and fix their eyes on the table instead. Judas looks down at his hands and clasps them together to stop the trembling.
Mary looks at Jesus, and he nods. It’s time to start. She reaches out and lights the candles on the table while softly speaking the blessing, her voice quavering with emotion, “Blessed are you, O Lord our God, King of the Universe, who has kept us alive by your Word to reach this holy season. May this place be consecrated by the light of your face shining on us in blessing and peace.”
The familiar chorus of response fills the room,
“Blessed are you, O Lord, our God King of the Universe, who sanctifies us with your commandments…”
The Passover has begun, and the first pitcher of wine is set on the table. Jesus touches the pitcher and motions to Mary to fill the cups. “Take this and divide it among you,” he says.
Phillip looks at Andrew, and they instinctively begin to recite the Passover passage from Torah. The others join in as Mary fills the cups.
“Therefore, say to the Israelites: ‘I am the Lord, and I will bring you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians…’”
They all know the meaning of the first cup of wine at Passover: Sanctification or being set apart as the small, chosen nation of Israel. They raise their cups and say together, “Blessed are you, O Lord, our God, King of the Universe, Creator of the fruit of the vine.” Peter tips his cup toward Jesus and smiles.
Vineyard Metaphor
Most wines we drink are blends, which means the winemaker has crafted a delicious wine using different varietals. A Bordeaux blend, for example, usually has three or four of the five noble grapes from the Bordeaux region of France: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and Malbec.
Sometimes a vineyard has such incredible fruit, with a beautiful flavor profile, a winemaker will choose to create a single vineyard wine. Usually a single-vineyard wine contains 100% of the same fruit, like Pinot Noir or Zinfandel, but technically, if there are other varietals planted in the same vineyard, the winemaker could choose to add just a touch of them to bring out the flavor profile of the specific terroir.
Mauritson Winery in Dry Creek Valley produces unique, even more specific, small batches of “single soil” wines. Cabernet Sauvignon grapes planted in different types of soil are kept apart from all the other grapes to make wine that showcases the singular influence of soil on the flavor and mouth-feel of the same varietal. It’s quite amazing to experience the distinct flavors that come from different soil.
Reflection and Meditation
Consider what it means to be unique, to be set apart from everything else for a special purpose.
As a follower of Jesus, being set apart and participating in the life-long process of being made more and more like Jesus, is called sanctification. Like single soil cabernet grapes that showcase the influence of soil on the flavor of wine, like the Israelites who were chosen to be God’s instrument of blessing to the world, you are unique, chosen, set apart.
Take a moment and ponder the beauty of uniqueness, of being set apart. What comes to mind?
Ponder what it would mean to let Jesus use the unique fruit of your life to create a beautiful “single soil” wine for the Feast at the end of the Grand Story.
Close your eyes and envision tipping your glass towards the Host, the King of the Universe, Creator of the fruit of the vine.
“The most important thing in your life is not what you do, it’s who you become.”