Third Drink... The Cup of Redemption!

The first Passover in the land of Egypt was celebrated by people who were enslaved. They were instructed to eat in haste, ready to leave position. After the exodus, the Jewish people were allowed to recline and enjoy at leisure. Many Jewish families will recline to the left in their chairs while eating, or the four cups may be drunk while leaning the left elbow on the table.

There are four drinks in the whole course of the Passover meal. The first cup is before meal after the mother in the family Seder, covers her head, lights the candles (usually two) and says the blessing "Blessed art thou o Lord our God, Ruler of the universe, who has set us apart by his word, and in whose name we light these festival lights." This bring forth the remembrance of GOD'S four promises to Moses in the Book of Exodus.

Exodus 6:6-7 ~ "Therefore, say to the Israelite: 'I am the LORD, and I will BRING you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians. I will FREE you from being slaves to them, and I will REDEEM you with an outstretched arm and with mighty acts of judgment. I will TAKE you as my own people, and I will be your God. Then you will know that I am the LORD your God, who brought you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians.'

The first cup of drink is being blessed which is called “The Cup of Sanctification” The head of the family or other readers will then tell the story of Passover. When the story comes to the plagues, second drink is filled. The second cup is called "The Cup of Rejoicing". As each plague is recounted, they dip a finger in and allow a drop to fall, which in turn, reducing the fullness of their cup of joy. This cup is not drunk at this stage. The third cup is “the Cup of Redemption” and it is drunk warm to signify the blood of the Passover lamb.

Luke 22:20 ~ 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…

This is the cup known as “The Cup of Redemption”. It was the cup after supper that Jesus gave to His disciples. He said to His disciples, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.” This cup was supposed to signify the blood of the Passover Lamb but Jesus said, “This is My Blood…” Wow…!

After this third cup, the Hallel is sung. Hallel means "Praise" and is Psalm 113 to 118 or Psalm 136 and is written in the Gospel of Mark chapter 14 verse 26 as, "When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives."

The fourth cup is the Cup of Praise. It is drank while joining in responsive praise for various ways in which GOD has blessed them, for God had Him their God and them His own people.

From the account of the Gospel of Mark chapter 14 verse 26, it suggests that our Lord Jesus' special Seder that night did not include the fourth cup. He adjourned to Gethsemane with Peter, James and John where He wrestled in prayer about the cup of suffering He was about to drink.

Friends, He drank the cup of suffering so that we can drink the cup of praise. He was very considerate and because of His love for us, He had done it all… That is why He cried out loud at the Cross, “It is finished!”