Pastor Timothy Hinkle March 30th & 31st, 2013

39 He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.”

42 Again, a second time, He went away and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if this cup cannot pass away from Me unless I drink it, Your will be done.”

Definition of “Cup” according to the original Greek term used in this scripture:

The lot or portion under the emblem of a cup which God presents to be drank, either for good or evil.

The institutions given to the Jewish people in the feasts, which they were commanded to keep or observe “FOREVER” all point to Messiah—Jesus! Today we will look at the Passover Seder, its elements, their symbolism with a specific focus on the four cups, or “portions given by God” and their significance when observed by Jesus!

Although we are not bound by the law, Jesus clearly states in Matthew 5:17,

17 “Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill.

We are also told in Ephesians 2:14-18,

14 For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, 15 having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, 16 and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity. 17 And He came and preached peace to you who were afar off and to those who were near. 18 For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father.

A cup of blessing Psalms 23 contains the phrase, “my cup

runneth over” and is speaking of this cup. Psalms 16:5, “O LORD, You are the portion of

my inheritance and my cup; You maintain my lot.”

Psalms 116:13, “I will take up the cup of salvation, And call upon the name of the LORD.”

The cup is filled and drank together as the first “I will” is read from Exodus 6:6, 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.

It is drank together symbolizing that salvation is meant for EVERYONE. This is where the term, “Predestined” is properly used. We were all predestined unto salvation, yet many are called and few are chosen (accept the call).

As God’s children were delivered from the bondage of Egypt, we are all delivered from the bondage of sin!

The ten plagues are recounted and a drop of wine is spilled for each one.

Psalms 11:6 Upon the wicked He will rain coals;Fire and brimstone and a burning wind          Shall be the portion of their cup.

Psalms 75:8For in the hand of the LORD there is a cup,         And the wine is red;          It is fully mixed, and He pours it out;          Surely its dregs shall all the wicked of the earth          Drain and drink down.

Ezekiel 23:32‘ You shall drink of your sister’s cup,       The deep and wide one;       You shall be laughed to scorn       And held in derision;       It contains much.

Jeremiah 25:27“Therefore you shall say to them, ‘Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: “Drink, be drunk, and vomit! Fall and rise no more, because of the sword which I will send among you.”’

Revelation 14:10he himself shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out full strength into the cup of His indignation. He shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb.

Revelation 16:1Then I heard a loud voice from the temple saying to the seven angels, “Go and pour out the bowls of the wrath of God on the earth.”

Note: The definition of the term translated “bowls” here and “vials” elsewhere is actually the same word used for “Goblet”

Revelation 18:6-8Render to her just as she rendered to you, and repay her double according to her works; in the cup which she has mixed, mix double for her. In the measure that she glorified herself and lived luxuriously, in the same measure give her torment and sorrow; for she says in her heart, ‘I sit as queen, and am no widow, and will not see sorrow.’ Therefore her plagues will come in one day—death and mourning and famine. And she will be utterly burned with fire, for strong is the Lord God who judges her.

Jeremiah 25:15—17 15 For thus says the LORD God of Israel to me: “Take this wine cup of fury from My hand, and cause all the nations, to whom I send you, to drink it. 16 And they will drink and stagger and go mad because of the sword that I will send among them.” 17 Then I took the cup from the LORD’s hand, and made all the nations drink, to whom the LORD had sent me

When this cup was given to Jeremiah, he wept.

“I will redeem you with an outstretched arm” (Ex 6)

Why did Jesus pray “let this cup pass?” Did He not want to die? NO, he said that I have power to lay down my life and take it up again. Death didn’t bother Him

Matthew 16:23 But He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.” He rebuked Peter for suggesting that He

should not suffer and die.

John 11:25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.

Jesus had not changed His mind about laying down His life

Jesus was not afraid, because Fear is the opposite of Faith and would be sin (Romans 14:23, Matt 8:26, Rev 21:8)

Did Jesus think that He might not be able to go through with the crucifixion? NO, he knew that he would finish what He came to do. Anything He would have to do had already been decided before He left His Home in Glory. He was the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. So, why did Jesus not want this cup?

Adam & Eve—God’s grace extended

Noah & the Flood—God’s grace extended

Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Judges, Prophets—God’s grace extended

HE’S ALIVE Grace ends at “Jesus Rejected”

The heart of Jesus bled for those who would REJECT HIM. He knew that there would be no other grace extended. He was the final sacrifice! That is why He cried for this cup to pass! That is why he sweat drops of blood. Because of His everlasting love!

“I will take you as my people” (Ex 6) Matthew 26:27

Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you.

This is the Cup of the Covenant between God and us. It is a contract signed where we each have a responsibility. This is the cup I offer you today!

 Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one! Deuteronomy 6:4

Let’s take a closer look at another portion of the Celebration—what is done with the Matzoh

The leader breaks the middle of the three cakes of unleavened bread (matzoh) and hides half of it. This hidden half is called the afikomen. It is a Greek word meaning “dessert,” or “after-dinner entertainment.” It also means “He who comes”!

The three layers of matzah represent the declaration and mystery of God, three in one and the middle one that is broken and partially hidden in linen represents Christ who’s body was broken and partially hidden in the tomb until He ROSE AGAIN!

Note: The child that finds the hidden Matzoh receives a prize at the Feast of Pentecost! This symbolizes that he who finds Christ receives the gift of the Holy Spirit!

Have you accepted the cup of Salvation? Have you accepted the cup of

Redemption? Have you accepted the cup of Praise? Or….sadly…will you reject Christ and be

destined to drink of the Cup of Wrath? Receive Christ! Receive His Holy Spirit!

Walk in the light, be empowered by His Spirit and inherit Eternal Life! (John 3:16, Romans 10:9)