The costly Cup

One of the dangers we face in Christian life is taking for granted those things that should be sacred. For instance most of us celebrate Lord’s supper regularly, just as we are commanded to do in the scriptures. But do we really stop to consider what it exactly means.

On that Passover night when Jesus gathered with His disciples to share the meal, He invited an observance that symbolized what He would do for us just a few hours later.

There are 2 Cups that deserve attention, one is described as the cup of the new covenant in Christ’s blood which is given to us. Jesus said it is ,”for the forgiveness of sin”. His shed blood cleanses us from iniquity so we can be declared righteous before God. It is also a shared cup.  When we celebrate the Lord’s supper, we come together as a family of God to join in fellowship with one another. It is a time for us to consecrate and recommit ourselves to Christ.

The Second Cup was a symbolic one of the suffering of Christ, which He would drink alone. Soon after the Passover meal, Jesus plead with the Father in the Garden of Gethsemane, “If it is possible, let this cup pass from me, yet not as I will, but as You will.”

This bitter cup included not only the physical pain of the Cross, but also the agony of being separated from the Father as He judged for our sins, which Jesus bore on the Cross for us (I Peter 2:24). There is no way we can comprehend what Christ endure as He cried out, “My God, My God, Why have You forsaken me?” (Matt.27:46).

The only way we can truly appreciate the Communion Cup we drink- the one that requires our cleansing, fellowship and consecration- is to realize what it costs Christ to drink the cup of suffering on our behalf.

Considering all He has done for us, how can we possibly withhold anything from Him? Each time we come to the Lord’s table, let us offer ourselves anew to the Savior.