The Lord's Supper

INTRODUCTION: The Passover recorded in the book of Exodus will always serve as a backdrop for the Last Supper in which Jesus participated and the Lord's Supper, which is the mannerism of the church. In the Passover meal there are four cups of wine used, each having their own significance. I wish to do a brief overview of the four cups and then focus in on the third cup, which is the cup of the Lord's Supper.

I. THE FIRST CUP. SANCTIFICATION

The head of the family pronounces a blessing over the first cup; the cup is shared, followed by herbs dipped in a sauce. The head of the family would call the rest of the family to attention and would then proceed to offer a prayer of thanksgiving to God and a prayer to sanctify the family for this special meal. This prayer of thanksgiving would remind those listening of the gratefulness that God deserved, in light of the fact that they were present at the table and not in bondage to Egypt even still. The sanctification would give them the right heart to take part in the coming events.

II. THE SECOND CUP. PLAGUES.

Once it was ready, the youngest son would ask why this night is different from other nights, why unleavened bread is eaten on this night, etc. In reply, the head of the family tells the story of the exodus and delivers an exposition of .

, ''And you shall answer and say before the LORD your God: 'My father was a Syrian, about to perish, and he went down to Egypt and dwelt there, few in number; and there he became a nation, great, mighty, and populous. But the Egyptians mistreated us, afflicted us, and laid hard bondage on us. Then we cried out to the LORD God of our fathers, and the LORD heard our voice and looked on our affliction and our labor and our oppression. So the LORD brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand and with an outstretched arm, with great terror and with signs and wonders. He has brought us to this place and has given us this land, ''a land flowing with milk and honey''; and now, behold, I have brought the firstfruits of the land which you, O LORD, have given me.' Then you shall set it before the LORD your God, and worship before the LORD your God. So you shall rejoice in every good thing which the LORD your God has given to you and your house, you and the Levite and the stranger who is among you.''

THIS IS A CONFESSION OF THE LORD'S FAITHFULNESS.

The meal is interpreted as a present act of remembrance of and a thanksgiving for God's past liberation of an oppressed people, a celebration of God's faithfulness followed by singing the first part of . , ''Praise the LORD! Praise, O servants of the LORD, Praise the name of the LORD! Blessed be the name of the LORD from this time forth and forevermore! From the rising of the sun to its going down the LORD's name is to be praised. The LORD is high above all nations, His glory above the heavens. Who is like the LORD our God, Who dwells on high, Who humbles Himself to behold the things that are in the heavens and in the earth? He raises the poor out of the dust, and lifts the needy out of the ash heap, that He may seat him with princes--with the princes of His people. He grants the barren woman a home, like a joyful mother of children. Praise the LORD!''

The cup of plagues is given because it reminds the people of what bondage they were under and what extent God went to in order that they might be freed from wicked Pharaoh.

NOTE: On this night of Jesus' meal, He would have been the one to retell the story. He would have recounted the story of Israel's deliverance, but the disciples would not have understood its significance as a story of coming events. They only could look back to Israel's past, not a looking forward to the deliverance they would receive.

III. THE THIRD CUP. REDEMPTION

This cup was to emphasize the blood that was shed for their deliverance. The Passover lambs that were put to death and had their blood placed over the doorposts were in view here. Only when the angel of the Lord saw this blood over the doorposts of the children of Israel did he pass by and spare their lives. This cup of redemption focused on the high cost of deliverance, namely the precious blood of a spotless lamb.

Jesus, Himself, stood behind the story of Israel's deliverance. As we in the New Testament take this cup, it is to remind us of the high cost of our deliverance, namely the precious blood of a spotless lamb.

In , ''The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ?''

''Cup of blessing'' - is the proper name given to the third cup during the Passover Feast. At the last Passover with the disciples, Jesus used the third cup as the symbol of His blood shed for sin. That cup became the one used to institute the Lord's Supper. He set the cup apart as a token of salvation blessing before passing it to the twelve.

IV. THE FOURTH CUP. PRAISE

This cup would be taken and God would be praised for His work in delivering the people from bondage. The singing of completed the meal.

- The power of God in His deliverance of Israel

- The futility of idols and the trustworthiness of God.

- Thanksgiving for deliverance from death

- Let all people praise the Lord

- Praise to God for His everlasting mercy

CONCLUSION: Blessing of Redemption (Third cup) Summary of the cups is based on

, ''Therefore say to the children of Israel: 'I am the LORD; I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, I will rescue you from their bondage, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with great judgments. I will take you as My people, and I will be your God. Then you shall know that I am the LORD your God who brings you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians.'''