"After the same manner also, He took the cup, when He had supped, saying, ’This cup is the New Testament in My blood: This do ye as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of Me, for as often as ye . . . drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till He comes’" (I Cor. 11:25,26).
A. WHY GRAPES ARE A SYMBOL OF HIS DEATH
1. Symbols of fruitfulness. "This is My blood . . . which is shed for many" (Mark 14:24).
2. Symbol of joy. "He took the cup and gave thanks" (Luke 22:17). The Old Testament speaks of the wine of gladness, joy, happiness, etc.
3. Symbol of pouring out. "This cup is the New Testament in My blood, which is shed for you" (Luke 22:20).
4. Symbol of crushed. Instruments of pain and death; nails, spear, crown of thorns, scourging, beatings, thirst and forsaken.
5. Symbol of life. The grapes represent the life and energy from the ground that is available to us in liquid form.
6. Symbol of sweetness. The sweetness of grapes comes from four sources (1) sun, (2) water, (3) soil, (4) seed. Jesus is the sweetness of God that is given to us.
B. WHAT SHOULD WE REMEMBER FROM HIS BLOOD
"And He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, ’Drink ye all of it; for this is My blood of the New Testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom’" (Matt. 26:27-29).
1. The "cup" is a picture of God’s punishment. "O Father; if it be possible let this cup pass from Me, nevertheless not as I will, but as thou will" (Matt. 26:39).
2. "Giving thanks" is a picture of submission to God’s will. The sinless Jesus had to die for sinners so God could forgive people’s sin and receive them into His presence.
3. "Giving the cup" to the disciples is a picture of God’s purpose. The spilt blood was for others.
4. "Drinking" is a picture of belief. The only way to partake of redemption is believe in Jesus. When we drink, we picture how Jesus comes into our life.
5. The word "blood" is a picture of His life and death. Jesus gave His life for us, not just like a mother sacrifices for her children. Jesus gave His life until He died for us. "For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it you upon the altar to make atonement for your souls, for it is the blood (of the Lamb) that maketh atonement by reason of the life" (Lev. 17:11 ASV).
6. The phrase "the New Testament" is a picture of the new way God relates to us because of the cross. "The blood of bulls and goats can never take away sin" (Heb. 10:5). "This man . . . hath offered one sacrifice for sins forever" (Heb. 10:12).
7. "Shed for many" is a picture of salvation for all.
8. For "the remission of sins" is a picture of cleansing. "The blood of Jesus Christ His son cleanseth from all sin" (I John 1:7).
9. "In remembrance of Me," is a picture of our obligation. Every time we drink the cup, we remember what He did for us.
10. "Till He come" is a picture that reminds us of Jesus, but when He returns, we won’t need a picture: we’ll have Him.
C. WHAT SPIRITUAL MEANING CAN WE GET FROM THE CUP?
1. Absence of the word wine. It is never called wine, but called the cup. While the content of the liquid was not important, the thing it symbolized was important, i.e., the blood of Jesus.
2. Couldn’t be intoxicating wine. To turn grape juice into intoxicating wine, some form of leaven had to be added. During Passover, no form of leaven could be eaten or drank; or even allowed to exist in a Jewish home (Ex. 12:15,19; 13:3,7). Jesus would not let His disciples eat leaven bread or wine before the Passover, nor would He; for He was the perfect sacrifice for sins.
PRACTICAL QUESTIONS
1. Should churches serve intoxicating wine? No
2. Should churches serve small cups or one goblet? Small
3. Should people be served at a table or pews? Pews
4. Should pastor or deacons serve?Either
5. What kind of bread should be served? Best available
3. Blood that gives satisfying life. "He that . . . believeth on Me shall never thirst" (John 6:35).
4. Blood that gives eternal life. "Whosoever . . . drinketh My blood hath eternal life" (John 6:54).
5. Blood that gives resurrection life. "Whosoever . . . drinketh My blood . . . I will raise him up in the last day" (John 6:54).
6. Blood that gives indwelling life. "He that . . . drinketh My blood, dwelleth in Me and I in him" (John 6:56).
If you have never really accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, would you do it right now? Do not delay or put it off. If you would like to receive Christ by faith, pray this simple prayer in your heart:
Dear Lord, I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins on the cross, and rose again the third day. I repent of my sins. By faith I receive the Lord Jesus as my Savior. You promised to save me, and I believe You, because You are God and cannot lie. I believe right now that the Lord Jesus is my personal Savior, and that all my sins are forgiven through His precious blood. I thank You, dear Lord, for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
If you prayed that prayer, God heard you and saved you. I personally want to welcome you to the family of God. Please contact me at eltowns@liberty.edu and tell us about your salvation experience so that we can rejoice with you.
