“Lord, you alone are my portion and my cup; you make my lot secure.” — Psalm 16:5, NIV
The word “cup” kept replaying over and over in my mind as I sat with my communion elements.
I recalled that even while dining for the last time before His crucifixion, Jesus pointed out something new through sharing His cup. He called it the cup of the new covenant.
“In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you’” (Luke 22:20 NIV).
How could something poured out bring something new?
Jesus, You flipped the script.
“Abba, Father,” he said, “everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will” (Mark 14:36 NIV).
Jesus, You drank the bitter cup and poured out Your blood, so I may drink of You — the abundant cup. The cup of new life.
“You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows” (Psalm 23:5 NIV).
New life from You comes from drinking of this abundant cup. Your blood offers me life. Life in this present and life for eternity.
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” (John 10:10 NIV).
Your “aliveness” in me is bringing me more alive to myself and who You have created me to be.
Reflect:
“For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, ‘This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.’ In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.’ For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.” —1 Corinthians 11:23-26, NIV
Grab a cup or glass from your kitchen, hold it in your hands and imagine Jesus passing you His cup to drink from. Talk with Him about all that stirs in you about drinking from His cup of abundant new life.
Think back to the first time you took of The Lord’s Supper. What were your conversations with God like then? How have you seen His new life within you grow? Talk with Him about this journey.