We recently went on a trip to New York City, and like any other tourist, we visited as many sites as we could and walked what seemed to be miles and enjoyed the subway and buses. It was amazing to see the “Freedom Tower” and humbling to visit the 911 Memorial. We visited the shops of course and got souvenir hats, “I Love New York” t-shirts, and of course CUPS. I mean who can pass up having an authentic, China made, New York coffee cup?!
Now I am not one to collect cups, because a cup is a cup… and yet not all cups are the same. I have a cup which was dad’s and has “Jack” on it. I doubt it is a collector’s item, and would probably sell for 10 cents in a yard sale, but to me… I would not trade it for 10 ‘authentic’ New York City souvenir cups! That’s because it is a reminder of dad. He drank from it. The coffee doesn’t taste better because of the cup. It is just a cup, made like any other cup.
Jesus “… took a CUP and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.” It was just a cup right? The contents tasted no better because of the cup. Where is the cup? If we could ever find it what would we do with it? Would it be special to us? Of course! Would we trade it for an ‘authentic’ New York City cup? Hardly! How much would it sell for? Why, it would be priceless! Why? It’s JUST A CUP!
Of course it is what Jesus held in his un-nailed hands. It’s the cup that He prayed over after the fruit of the vine was poured into it. It’s the cup that He drank from and passed to the disciples and told them, “Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins… I will not drink from this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you  in my Father’s kingdom” (Matthew 26:27-29).
Is it the cup or the contents or what it all represents? Should we worship the cup or the Savior? Should we make a ‘law’ that only one cup can be used? Shall we argue on whether or not the juice was fermented?  If so, then we miss the blessing of the meaning.
The “cup” is used to ‘hold’ different things in the Scriptures…but in this case, it held suffering, shame, pain, and death…“Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this CUP be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.” This was the real CUP… So Paul instructs Christians in 1 Corinthians 11:26  “For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.” When we drink of the cup, we should examine ourselves and be so grateful that He drank of it FIRST! (I Corinthians 11:28). More than a CUP, more than GRAPE JUICE.

 
   Many centuries ago, a story was told of a man who rented an apartment above the only bakery in town. He would rise early from bed, do the things that prepared him for that day and then go to the front window and just sit, enjoying the beauty and fragrance of fresh baking bread.
The owner of the building saw him sitting there one day, smiling and enjoying the added blessing the aroma the fresh bread offered. He felt that this added pleasure and benefit would justify him raising the rent. The renter objected and the whole affair was taken to court.
The Judge, a wise old man, listened and recorded his notes as each man presented his case. He ordered the owner of the apartment to bring 10 golden coins and both were remanded to return the following day. News spread rapidly and the next morning there was a goodly crowd in the gallery.
The Judge appeared in his robes and when seated ask for the golden coins. The defendant produced them and set them before the judge. He took the coins and little by little let them fall from one hand to the other. Then he rendered his judgment. The price should remain the same for the flat.
The owner objected and demanded an explanation. “How could the falling coins pay for him sitting in the window and smelling the sweet smell of baking bread?”
The Judge smiled and said, “The tinkle of falling coins pays for the smell of baking bread!!”
It’s funny how certain ‘smells’ can bring back memories. Maybe it’s the smell of homemade apple pie that reminds you of a time when you and your mother baked a pie together.
Not all smells bring back good memories. Sometimes they bring back bad memories of a time of abuse or pain or depression.
“It was just before the Passover Feast” and Unleavened bread was being sold in the open markets of Jerusalem. Unleavened bread is made of flour (which contains no rising agents),
crushed coriander seeds (also called “cilantro”), salt, fine cooking oil and water. The smell must have been wonderful. Memories must have come to the mind of the Master of times when his mother baked fresh bread. Now as he gathers with his disciples for this supper. The memories and the memorial all mix together. For every Jew, the memories were rich, the memorial Passover was priceless. Reminding them of a time when the God of Heaven and earth delivered their fore-fathers from the slavery of Egypt so many centuries before.
It was this bread that Jesus first blessed, then broke into pieces and handed to his disciples. Yet there was a ‘bitterness’ to this memorial supper, since someone at the table was going to betray Him. “It is the one to whom I will give this piece of bread when I have dipped it in the dish.” Then, dipping the piece of bread, he gave it to Judas Iscariot…” Satan made his move, entering the heart of Judas, and Jesus told him, “What you are about to do, do quickly” (John 13:21-30).
The rest is history. Paul reminds us, “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: WHILE WE WERE STILL SINNERS, CHRIST DIED FOR US” (Romans 5:8). For Christians, it continues to be a precious reminder of the one who freed us from the slavery of sin.