Jesus sat with His disciples at the Passover Seder, and lifted the third cup of wine, the Cup of Redemption, saying… “Take this and divide it among yourselves… drink all of it. For this is My blood of the New Covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.”
The sacrifices of the Temple taught a foundational truth regarding forgiveness… “Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness” (Hebrews 9:22). Year after year, until Jesus came… “Every priest stood ministering daily and offering frequently the same sacrifices which can never take away sins: but He, having offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God… For by one offering He has PERFECTED FOREVER those who are sanctified” (Hebrews 10:11-14).
Those who drink of Christ’s Cup of Redemption (by faith) are perfected forever. An old hymn captures this beautifully…
“Death and the curse were in our cup,
O Christ, ‘twas full for Thee,
But You have drained the last dark drop,
It’s empty now for me!
That bitter cup, love drank it up!
Left but the love for me.”
But to those refusing His gracious offer comes a warning… “In the hand of the Lord there is a cup, and the wine is red; it is full of mixture; and He pours out of the same cup: but the dregs, all the wicked of the earth shall wring them out and drink them” (Psalm 75:8). They will drink of the wine of the wrath of God.
For those loving Christ, the fourth cup awaits. Jesus said, “I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine, until that Day I drink it new with you in My Father’s Kingdom” (Matthew 26:29).
That glorious day is not far off!
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