Which Cup Did Jesus Take at Passover
Today we will talk about which cup did Jesus take at Passover. Many Christians do not know what this means. The Last Supper, which was celebrated during the Passover festival, is a significant event in Christianity. Jesus instituted the practice of Communion during this meal, and understanding the specific cup He chose carries profound implications for our faith. As we explore this topic, let us open our hearts and minds to the Scriptures. We will examine various passages that inform us about the meaning of the cups used during Passover and identify which one Jesus selected. This will not only enhance our understanding of the event but also draw us closer to the incredible sacrifice of our Lord.
The Historical Background of Passover
To grasp which cup Jesus took during the Passover meal, we first need to understand the historical significance of Passover itself. The Passover commemorates the Israelites’ escape from slavery in Egypt and is rooted deeply in Hebrew culture. Traditionally, the Seder meal, which is the ceremonial meal for Passover, includes four cups of wine, known as the “Four Cups of Redemption,” which symbolize the four expressions of redemption mentioned in Exodus 6:6-7.
In Hebrew tradition, the Seder plate outlines a systematic way to recount the Exodus story, keeping alive the memory of God’s deliverance. Each of the four cups corresponds to a verse in these Scriptures, showing God’s promise to deliver His people, bring them out of bondage, and establish them as a nation. The four cups are known as the Cup of Sanctification, the Cup of Deliverance, the Cup of Redemption, and the Cup of Praise. These cups reflect a chain of events and promises that God made to His people, providing a deep historical context for the Passover celebration.
The Greek word used for “cup” is “potērion,” which signals the vessel from which we drink during ceremonial occasions. It illustrates the importance of content, in this case, the wine representing Jesus’ blood in the New Covenant. Jesus transformed this familiar ritual into a profound declaration of His impending sacrifice and continued promise of redemption.
As we examine the Last Supper accounts in the Gospels, we find that Jesus celebrates this age-old tradition with His disciples but introduces a new significance to the elements. The Gospels (Matthew 26:26-29, Mark 14:22-25, and Luke 22:14-20) recount these events, most specifically the inscription over the cups and bread. Each Gospel writer gives differing details, yet they collectively highlight the solemnity and fulfillment of prophetic promises.
The Four Cups of Redemption
As specified earlier, the Seder dinner involves four cups, each representing different aspects of God’s promise to deliver Israel. Wouldn’t it be captivating to compare each of these to the moments leading up to Jesus’ declaration of a new covenant? Let’s investigate each cup’s meaning one by one while aligning it with the biblical references we find in the Gospels.
The first cup, known as the Cup of Sanctification, relates to God saying, “I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians” (Exodus 6:6). This cup celebrates the act of setting apart the people who will follow God out of Egypt. In the story of the Last Supper, however, Jesus transitions us from mere deliverance from physical bondage to deliverance from sin. His cup is a call inviting us into a relationship of holiness.
The second cup, the Cup of Deliverance, directly relates to the promise, “I will deliver you from their bondage” (Exodus 6:6). During this Seder meal, Jesus, knowing His sacrifice was imminent, offered the wine again to signify a new understanding of deliverance through His blood. This leads to a crucial realization for believers today; that Jesus is our ultimate deliverer, freeing us from not just physical oppression but spiritual bondage as well.
The third cup, known as the Cup of Redemption, aligns with the promise of God proclaiming, “I will redeem you with an outstretched arm” (Exodus 6:6). It is at this juncture during the Last Supper that Jesus states, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood” (Luke 22:20). Here lies a rich theological implication: the cup Jesus references symbolizes the redemption He brings, replacing the old covenant with an everlasting one. Through His sacrifice, we are ushered into the very heart of God’s salvific plan.
Finally, the fourth cup, known as the Cup of Praise, correlates with the declaration, “I will take you as My people” (Exodus 6:7). This expresses a future hope of belonging and existence with God. However, intriguingly, it appears that Jesus withheld this fourth cup during the Last Supper, perhaps indicating that the fullness of His mission would not be complete until His resurrection. As noted in Matthew 26:29, He promises to drink it anew in the Kingdom. This leads us to a space of anticipation as we await the complete fulfillment of God’s promises.
Jesus and the Cup of Redemption
Now, having examined the broader significance of the four cups, we hone in on the specific cup Jesus took during the Last Supper – the Cup of Redemption. The moment Jesus lifted the cup and declared it a new covenant is significant and deserves our focused attention. This act of lifting the cup signified that the blood Jesus would soon shed would establish a new relationship between God and humankind.
The Gospel accounts provide a rich tapestry of details, with Luke’s account being particularly illuminating when he states, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you” (Luke 22:20). By combining Jesus’ words with the Passover setting, we discover the extraordinary implications of redemption in His sacrifice. Jesus is not merely instituting a ritual; He is fulfilling prophecy and bringing to completion God’s plan for restoration.
As we reflect on the implications of Jesus taking the Cup of Redemption, we also consider the nature of blood in biblical theology. Blood represents life, sacrifice, and covenant within the Hebrew Scriptures. Leviticus 17:11 tells us that “the life of a creature is in the blood,” emphasizing the weighty significance of the blood covenant established through Christ’s sacrifice. We now see the connection made through His chosen cup, bridging the ancient practices of the Passover and the new covenant in our faith today.
The significance of the Cup of Redemption resonates within the love of God, who trades the blood of a perfect Lamb, Jesus, for our transgressions. The Apostle Paul reinforces this thought in 1 Corinthians 11:25-26 when proclaiming the importance of remembering Christ’s sacrifice through communion; he parallels the act with the proclamation of His death until He comes again. Thus, each time we partake of communion, we are reminded of our shared history and the new life Jesus granted us through His blood.
Theological Implications
The theological implications of understanding which cup Jesus took during Passover point us to profound truths about our faith. First and foremost, it allows us to explore our identity as participants in the New Covenant community initiated by Christ. We are drawn into communion with God and each other through the acceptance of Jesus’ sacrificial love, changing the way we relate to God entirely. In Galatians 3:26-28, we’re reminded that “in Christ Jesus, you are all children of God through faith.” It showcases that acceptance into God’s family is not rooted in tradition but rather in the loving act of faith and grace through Jesus.
Moreover, by considering the cup Jesus chose, we acknowledge the continuity of God’s revelation. The anticipated promises in the Hebrew Scriptures culminate in the New Testament with Jesus, firmly establishing that we have always been in His focus. Jeremiah 31:31-34 famously speaks of the new covenant, one that would not be written on stone but in hearts, making the necessity of external rules obsolete. Rather than being distant, God desires intimacy with us through the blood of Christ that poured freely upon the cross for our sins.
Lastly, the reality that Jesus took the Cup of Redemption prompts a deeper understanding of community within the body of believers. The act of communion is a shared experience—a reflection of belonging and participation not only in Jesus’ death and resurrection but also in each other’s lives. In 1 Corinthians 10:16-17, Paul illustrates how partaking in the bread and cup unites us. We express our unity as a multi-faceted body, reminding ourselves that God’s kingdom encompasses a diverse array of believers brought near through Christ’s blood.
Final Thoughts
As we conclude our journey on which cup Jesus took at Passover, we have unraveled essential historical, theological, and personal insights. We learned about the four cups used in the Seder and discovered that Jesus identified with the Cup of Redemption, establishing a new covenant that holds deep significance for our lives.
This understanding invites us to appreciate our identity in Christ and encourages us to participate in communion with a renewed perspective. Rather than seeing it as a routine ritual, we now recognize it as a profound celebration of God’s enduring love and grace.
Ultimately, let us remember the price that was paid for our redemption. May the insights from our discussion inspire us to live lives that honor the covenant Christ established and reflect His love to others. We have received freedom and forgiveness, and our response should be one of gratitude, devotion, and purpose as we continue to grow in our relationship with Him.
Further Reading
30 Bible Verses About Getting Closer To God (With Commentary)
30 Bible Verses About Removing People From Your Life (With Commentary)
30 Bible Verses About Israel (With Explanation)
30 Bible Verses About Being Lukewarm (With Explanation)
4 Ways to Encounter Grace and Truth: A Study on John, Chapter 4