Two Cups (Part 1)

As we approach Easter, I want to take a pause from my preaching series and encourage us to focus on the heart of our message - the cross of Christ.

Paul wrote, “…I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified…” (1 Corinthians 2:2).

In my Lenten reading, I have been struck once again by the disgusting and degrading nature of Christ’s cross – an execution so vile that Roman citizens were exempt – a punishment so cruel that only the worst were condemned to its torture.

It begs the question, what kind of wrong could only be righted by such a sickening act? Or as Fleming Rutledge asks, “…What sort of predicament are you and I in that we should require the crucifixion of the Son of God…”.

We live in a world that speaks little of our sin and its consequences. We tend to talk of our mistakes, weaknesses, or poor choices, but not our willful rebellion against God.

And when it comes to Easter, we often prettify the occasion with symbols rather than speak about the blood and the unspeakable shame.

Perhaps we need to think again about the two cups – two scandalous extremes of the Easter story.

What was the cup that Christ was required to drink?

And what was the cup the disciples were invited to share?

Robert