The Last Cup

Have you ever considered the significance of Jesus’ cup of wine at the Last Supper? In that scene, Jesus announces that this cup of wine will be the last time…until the Kingdom of God comes. What does that mean?

Mark 14:23-25 (NLT)

And he took a cup of wine and gave thanks to God for it. He gave it to them, and they all drank from it. 24  And he said to them, “This is my blood, which confirms the covenant between God and his people. It is poured out as a sacrifice for many.

25  I tell you the truth, I will not drink wine again until the day I drink it new in the Kingdom of God.”

I don’t think this is the first time that Jesus drank wine. Jesus supernaturally produced wine at the first miracle in Cana. In the Last Supper scene, Jesus is holding and drinking the last cup of wine that He will drink until…the Kingdom of God comes.

The next day, Jesus refused wine (mixed with gall, which was a painkiller) while on the cross, fulfilling his “Last Time Pledge” at the Last Supper.

Matthew 27:34 (NLT)

The soldiers gave him wine mixed with bitter gall, but when he had tasted it, he refused to drink it.

The Last Supper was the last time that Jesus would share food and wine with his followers before He died and rose from the dead.

What does it mean…I tell you the truth, I will not drink wine again until the day I drink it new in the Kingdom of God.”

The Gospels refer to a Last Supper, and the Book of Revelation refers to the Wedding Feast/Supper of the Lamb, which celebrates the beginning of a New Kingdom, the eternal Kingdom of Christ.

Revelation 19:6-8 (NLT)

Then I heard again what sounded like the shout of a vast crowd or the roar of mighty ocean waves or the crash of loud thunder: “Praise the LORD! For the Lord our God, the Almighty, reigns.7  Let us be glad and rejoice, and let us give honor to him. For the time has come for the wedding feast of the Lamb, and his bride has prepared herself. 8  She has been given the finest of pure white linen to wear.” For the fine linen represents the good deeds of God’s holy people.

I want you to use your imagination for a moment. I want you to imagine Jesus holding up a cup of wine at this Wedding Feast. He’s wearing a crown, and everyone is dressed in white linen robes as we experience the beginning of a new kingdom, the eternal Kingdom of Christ.

Jesus’ first miracle was at a wedding where He made wine from water. Jesus drank the Last Cup at the Last Supper, the night before He paid the price of our redemption on the cross. And Jesus promises to raise that cup of gladness and celebration again with us when the Kingdom comes. O Lord, may your Kingdom come soon, and may we never forget the last cup and never lose our expectation of the next one.

1 Corinthians 11:26 (NLT)

For every time you eat this bread and drink this cup, you are announcing the Lord’s death until he comes again.

Terry Cooper

Lead Pastor