Fill My Cup, Lord but…

Scripture Reading

Psalm 75:8 (ESV)

For in the hand of the Lord there is a cup with foaming wine, well mixed, and he pours out from it, and all the wicked of the earth shall drain it down to the dregs.

Opening Hymn: 245 More About Jesus

Closing Hym: 493 Fill My Cup, Lord

Cups serve as an important utensil both practically and symbolically in the Bible and in Jewish tradition.

The Kiddush Cup (The Cup of Blessing)

On Friday night, the Kiddush prayer (means holiness is the prayer over the wine or grape juice)is recited over a full cup of wine or grape juice before sitting down for Shabbat dinner.

There are two blessings: (1) blessing over the fruit of the vine and (2) is a blessing highlights two major themes: Creation: God rested on the seventh day) and redemption (God redeemed the Jewish people from Egypt so that they could follow the divine commandments, including observing the Sabbath).

I would propose that we can learn from our Jewish brethren and to some extent draw parallels:

The blessing over the fruit of the vine

A reflection on creation and redemption

The Blessing of the Vine

John 15:5 (ESV)

I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.

Creation

2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV)

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

Redemption

Hebrews 9:12 (ESV)

he entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption.

The Cup of Judgement

However, there is another cup, which by grace, we do not need to drink from in full measure:

Psalm 75:8 ESV

For in the hand of the Lord there is a cup with foaming wine, well mixed, and he pours out from it, and all the wicked of the earth shall drain it down to the dregs.

Jeremiah 25:15 (ESV)

Thus the Lord, the God of Israel, said to me: “Take from my hand this cup of the wine of wrath, and make all the nations to whom I send you drink it.

Revelation 14:10 (ESV)

he also will drink the wine of God’s wrath, poured full strength into the cup of his anger, and he will be tormented with fire and sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb.

You Too Shall Drink

Mark 10:35–39 (ESV)

And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came up to him and said to him, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.” And he said to them, “What do you want me to do for you?” And they said to him, “Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory.” Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?” And they said to him, “We are able.” And Jesus said to them, “The cup that I drink you will drink, and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized,

What cup is Christ referring to the cup of blessing or the cup of judgement? The Bible says Christ became sin for us (2 Cor. 5:21). In other words, he drunk the cup of God’s wrath in full measure—and guess what we too must drink of that cup.

When my daughter was a baby and she was often curious about what I was drinking to the extent that she would insist on me sharing with her.

So I would have the majority of the drink and then leave a little that she could manage.

She would then drink to the end and afterwards she’d give a big sigh of satisfaction and smack her lips.

Now imagine for a moment if I gave her the full content of my glass and forced it down her throat. She would either gag, choke or vomit or all the above.

The cup without mixture that Christ took we too must drink from that cup, but Christ in his goodness, has drunk the majority of it so that we won’t suffer as he suffered.

1 Peter 4:13 (ESV)

But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.

Conclusion

We cannot conceive of the things God has in store for those who love Him and are obedient to all of His commandments. The “chastisement of our peace was upon him,” and He hath borne the iniquity of us all. [Verses Isaiah 53: 5, 6.] Our sins mingled with the bitter cup which He took from our lips and drank it Himself, while He proffers us the cup of His blessing. 6LtMs, Lt 31, 1889, par. 16

“Fill my cup Lord, but not too much Lord”