“The Cups of Christ” (Demonstrated in the Passover Seder) Resurrection Sunday—Pastor Timothy Hinkle March 23, 2008 “HE IS RISEN!”

Matthew 26:39,42 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[a] I drink it, Your will be done.” 42 Again, a second time, He went away and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if this cup cannot pass away from Me unless[a] I drink it, Your will be done.”a

Definition of “Cup” 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.

Overview 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!

Fulfill NOT Abolish 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.

One New Man 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.

The Passover Seder The First Cup—The Cup of Salvation/Sanctification The First Cup—The Cup of Salvation/Sanctification –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.

Thoughts on the First Cup 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 Passover Seder The Washing of the hands The Washing of the hands –Hand washing is a symbol of the purity required to enter God’s presence in His Holy Temple. –When we are found in Christ, we are found “in purity” and can enter God’s presence. –We become His Holy Temple—the dwelling place of His Holy Spirit

The Passover Seder Dipping of Parsley Into Salt Water Dipping of Parsley Into Salt Water –This symbolizes the hyssop with which the Israelites marked their doors with the lamb’s blood. The salt water represents the tears shed in bondage.

The Passover Seder Breaking of the middle Matzoh Breaking of the middle 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!

The Passover Seder The story of Passover is retold from Exodus The story of Passover is retold from Exodus

The Passover Seder The Four Questions Asked by the Youngest child The Four Questions Asked by the Youngest child Question 1: On all other nights we eat all kinds of breads and crackers. Why do we eat only matzoh on Pesach ? Answer: Matzoh reminds us that when the Jews left the slavery of Egypt they had no time to bake their bread. They took the raw dough on their journey and baked it in the hot desert sun into hard crackers called matzoh. Matzoh reminds us that when the Jews left the slavery of Egypt they had no time to bake their bread. They took the raw dough on their journey and baked it in the hot desert sun into hard crackers called matzoh.

The Passover Seder The Four Questions Asked by the Youngest child The Four Questions Asked by the Youngest child Question 2: On all other nights we eat many kinds of vegetables and herbs, Why do we eat bitter herbs, maror, at our Seder? On all other nights we eat many kinds of vegetables and herbs, Why do we eat bitter herbs, maror, at our Seder? Answer: Answer: Maror reminds us of the bitter and cruel way the Pharaoh treated the Jewish people when they were slaves in Egypt

The Passover Seder The Four Questions Asked by the Youngest child The Four Questions Asked by the Youngest child Question 3: Question 3: On all other nights we don't usually dip one food into another At our Seder we dip the parsley in salt water and the bitter herbs in Charoset. Why do we dip our foods twice tonight? Answer: We dip bitter herbs into Charoset to remind us how hard the Jewish slaves worked in Egypt. The chopped apples and nuts look like the clay used to make the bricks used in building the Pharaoh's buildings We dip parsley into salt water. The parsley reminds us that spring is here and new life will grow. The salt water reminds us of the tears of the Jewish slaves We dip parsley into salt water. The parsley reminds us that spring is here and new life will grow. The salt water reminds us of the tears of the Jewish slaves

The Passover Seder The Four Questions Asked by the Youngest child The Four Questions Asked by the Youngest child Question 4: On all other nights we eat sitting up straight, Why do we lean on a pillow tonight? On all other nights we eat sitting up straight, Why do we lean on a pillow tonight?Answer: We lean on a pillow to be comfortable and to remind us that once we were slaves, but now we are free We lean on a pillow to be comfortable and to remind us that once we were slaves, but now we are free

The Passover Seder The Haggadah (term meaning “telling”) itself stresses the importance of the Seder as "a spectacle meant to excite the interest and the curiosity of the children." Everything in the Seder is meant to make the children curious and to ask questions. The Haggadah (term meaning “telling”) itself stresses the importance of the Seder as "a spectacle meant to excite the interest and the curiosity of the children." Everything in the Seder is meant to make the children curious and to ask questions.

The Passover Seder The Second Cup—The Cup of The Wicked/Judgment The Second Cup—The Cup of The Wicked/Judgment –The ten plagues are recounted and a drop of wine is spilled for each one.

The Passover Seder The Second Cup—The Cup of The Wicked/Judgment The Second Cup—The Cup of The Wicked/Judgment –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 75:8  For 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.

The Passover Seder The Second Cup—The Cup of The Wicked/Judgment The Second Cup—The Cup of The Wicked/Judgment –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.”’

The Passover Seder The Second Cup—The Cup of The Wicked/Judgment The Second Cup—The Cup of The Wicked/Judgment –Revelation 14:10  he 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 16:1  Then 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.”

The Passover Seder The Second Cup—The Cup of The Wicked/Judgment The Second Cup—The Cup of The Wicked/Judgment –Note: The definition of the term translated “bowls” here and “vials” elsewhere is actually the same word used for “Goblet” –Revelation 18:6-8  Render 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.

The Passover Seder The Second Cup—The Cup of The Wicked/Judgment The Second Cup—The Cup of The Wicked/Judgment –Jeremiah 25:15—17  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. And they will drink and stagger and go mad because of the sword that I will send among them.” 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.

The Passover Seder The Matzah is half eaten to symbolize the haste in which the children of Israel left Egypt The Matzah is half eaten to symbolize the haste in which the children of Israel left Egypt The Bitter Herbs are eaten to symbolize the bitterness of the labor forced upon the children of Israel by Pharaoh The Bitter Herbs are eaten to symbolize the bitterness of the labor forced upon the children of Israel by Pharaoh The Charoseth—This tasty mixture of apples, nuts, and spices represents the mortar used to make the briks to build Pharaoh's buildings. It is eaten with matzah. The Charoseth—This tasty mixture of apples, nuts, and spices represents the mortar used to make the briks to build Pharaoh's buildings. It is eaten with matzah.

The Passover Seder The Beitzah, or egg, is eaten in memory of the daily Temple sacrifice, which is no longer offered. The Beitzah, or egg, is eaten in memory of the daily Temple sacrifice, which is no longer offered. The Afikomen—the children search for the afikomen, which is ransomed and shared by all. The Afikomen—the children search for the afikomen, which is ransomed and shared by all. –Luke 22:19  And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.”

The Passover Seder The Third Cup—The Cup of Redemption—The Portion Given To Jesus The Third Cup—The Cup of Redemption—The Portion Given To Jesus –“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.

The Passover Seder The Third Cup—The Cup of Redemption— The Portion Given To Jesus The Third Cup—The Cup of Redemption— The Portion Given To Jesus –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

The Passover Seder The Third Cup—The Cup of Redemption—The Portion Given To Jesus The Third Cup—The Cup of Redemption—The Portion Given To Jesus –Romans 14:23  But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because he does not eat from faith; for whatever is not from faith is sin –Matthew 8:26  But He said to them, “Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?” Then He arose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. –Revelation 21:8  But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”

The Passover Seder The Third Cup—The Cup of Redemption— The Portion Given To Jesus The Third Cup—The Cup of Redemption— The Portion Given To Jesus –Did Jesus think that He might not be able to go through with the crusifixtion? 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?

The Passover Seder The Third Cup—The Cup of Redemption— The Portion Given To Jesus The Third Cup—The Cup of Redemption— The Portion Given To Jesus  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  It stops at “Jesus Rejected”

The Passover Seder The Third Cup—The Cup of Redemption— The Portion Given To Jesus The Third Cup—The Cup of Redemption— The Portion Given To Jesus –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!

The Passover Seder The Empty Seat for the prophet Elijah, the forerunner of the Messiah, is noted. The Empty Seat for the prophet Elijah, the forerunner of the Messiah, is noted. –NOTE: JESUS DID NOT DO THIS AT THE LAST SUPPER! WHY? BECAUSE IT HAD ALREADY BEEN FULFILLED!!!!!

The Passover Seder The Fourth Cup—The Cup of Praise—The Cup that joins us to the Lord The Fourth Cup—The Cup of Praise—The Cup that joins us to the Lord –“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!

The Passover Seder The Seder concludes as all sing in unison, “Next year in Jerusalem!” More singing until everyone either goes home or falls asleep, or loses his voice! The Seder concludes as all sing in unison, “Next year in Jerusalem!” More singing until everyone either goes home or falls asleep, or loses his voice! This represents our everlasting praise with the Lord. Here we fail, but in eternity we will not! Hallelujah!!! This represents our everlasting praise with the Lord. Here we fail, but in eternity we will not! Hallelujah!!!