Monday, January 30, 2012

When a cup is more than a simple cup.


Something has been a question for quite some time for me.  It was never a serious question, just one that was “there” and left unanswered until last week.

You will remember the scene.  It was the night before the crucifixion of Jesus and He was in the Garden of Gethsemane praying: “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as You will.”

So my question was this: “what cup”?   Why would Jesus use the word “cup” in describing what lay before Him that night?  The scourging; the questioning; the carrying of the cross; the nails; the spear in the side?  The pain of the cross?  All horribly significant but none could be thought of as a “cup”.

If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives a mark on his forehead or on his hand,  he also will drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is mixed in full strength in the cup of His anger; and he will be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. Revelation 14:10

The great city was split into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell. Babylon the great was remembered before God, to give her the cup of the wine of His fierce wrath. Revelation 16:19

A “cup” of God’s wrath is impossible to imagine.  

Jesus knew the price for my sin!  That night in the garden He repulsed against the high cost that He was about to pay.

The next day His repulsion was realized: “MY GOD, MY GOD, WHY HAVE YOU FORSAKEN ME? Matthew 27:47
How do Christians simply sit on their chairs and feebly sing on Sundays?  Why has the message of the high price of their sin not gotten through?  Our worship should be lifting the roof every day and much more on Sundays when we come together!

Take a few moment every day this week to reflect on the gift of Jesus and thank Him for taking on your “cup”.

No comments: