It is not always wise to begin an article
with such a large passage of Scripture, but I beg your indulgence. There are
significant things I am confident the Holy Spirit would share with us that I
believe warrants such a lengthy passage. I will endeavor to clarify them as we
continue.
(Luke 22:14-29) {14} And when the hour was come, he
sat down, and the twelve apostles with him.
{15} And he said unto them, With desire I have desired to
eat this passover with you before I suffer:
{16} For I say unto you, I will not any more eat thereof,
until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God.
{17} And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, Take
this, and divide it among yourselves:
{18} For I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of
the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come.
{19} And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it,
and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do
in remembrance of me.
{20} Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This
cup is the new testament (covenant) in my blood, which is shed for you.
This, as you surely recognize, is the
occasion of the last Passover meal the Lord shared with His disciples before His
crucifixion. Biblically and historically it is one of the most significant times
of fellowship ever experienced between them.
The Passover meal was accompanied with
four cups of wine. At specific times during the supper the family would share
one of the cups. In one of the later Hebrew sects the last cup was never
consumed during the meal. You will notice in this passage that more than one cup
was shared among them during this meal (vs. 17). He then gave thanks for the
bread, broke it and said "This is my body which is given for you: this do in
remembrance of me." And then it specifically records that after supper
He took the cup, which was the fourth cup and said, "This cup is the new
testament (covenant) in my blood, which is shed for you."
There are several other things recorded that He shared with
them during this time. First, that His time of suffering had come. Second, that
Judas was going to betray Him. Third, that Simon Peter would be severely tested,
but the Lord had prayed that his faith would not fail and he would be converted
and could then strengthen the brethren.
Fourth, they were not to be as leaders of the Gentiles and
lord it over those the Lord would give them, but they were to be servants. In
another of the gospels it is recorded that Jesus washed their feet to reveal His
servant heart (John 13:4-10).
Fifth, the Lord appointed, or assigned the kingdom to them as
it had been assigned to Him by the Father.
It is evident when Jesus took the last cup it was the most
significant cup of the meal. It had an eternal measure attached to it that none
of the other cups possessed. This statement is highly meaningful - , "This
cup is the new testament (covenant) in my blood, which is shed for you."
It was a covenant cup, a new covenant cup, made valid by His shed blood.
Biblical definition of covenant is as follows: The wholly
gracious and effective character of God's "covenant" is confirmed in the
Septuagint (Greek language) by the choice of diatheke to translate
berit (Hebrew). A diatheke is a will that distributes one's property after
death according to the owner's wishes. It is completely unilateral. Covenant
is the legal ground upon which God’s grace functions and manifests itself.
His Disciples, being Jews, knew what covenant meant. It must
have made a great impression when the Lord revealed there would be a new one.
This cup was to show how the New Covenant was to be consummated. The old
covenant was to be taken away so He could establish the second.
(Heb 10:4-10) For it is impossible for the blood of
bulls and goats to take away sins.
{5} Therefore, when He comes into the world, He says,
"sacrifice and offering thou hast not desired, but a body thou hast prepared
for me;
{6} in whole burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou
hast taken no pleasure.
{7} "then I said, 'behold, I have come (in the roll of
the book it is written of me) to do thy will, o god.'"
{8} After saying above, "sacrifices and offerings and
whole burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast not desired, nor hast
thou taken pleasure in them" (which are offered according to the Law),
{9} then He said, "behold, I have come to do thy will."
He takes away the first in order to establish the second.
{10} By this will we have been sanctified through the
offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
What did this cup really mean? Since it is infinite in
character, we may only touch the parameters, but they are exceedingly rich.
First, His atonement for sin was complete. God would never have to do anything
else for the redemption of mankind. This one offering for sin, the cross of His
only Son, forever satisfied the glory and holiness of the eternal God and
Father.
Second, it was the atonement, the reconciliation, and
"this cup" signifies the fulfillment of all God’s promises, blessings and
the unfathomable revelation of being joined to Him (one spirit) in Christ.
Third, it confirmed the Kingdom as a covenantal reality. We
are bound to the God-Head by Covenant. It can never be rescinded or withdrawn.
God had established it, and it is a perfect work. Man cannot change or
invalidate it. But it is also the covenant of relationship and fellowship in
Christ’s body.
(1 Cor 10:16-17) {16} The cup of blessing which we
bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we
break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?
{17} For we being many are one bread, and one body: for
we are all partakers of that one bread.
Fourth, it made authentic the reality and manifest the
kingdom of God on earth. While we know His Kingdom is not of this world
(John 18:36), we who are redeemed are subjects/citizens of His kingdom while on
earth. But we also know that the kingdoms of this world will ultimately fully
come under His authority. While He was bodily on earth He had authority over all
flesh (John17:2).
Fifth, it also made valid "the gospel of the Kingdom of God"
and verified the ground for God’s eternal purpose.
Last, It is also part of that manifold wisdom which is now
made known through the ekklesia (the called-out-ones) to the rulers and
authorities in the heavenlies. We are now covenantly united with God the Father,
the Son, and the Holy Spirit. We are part of His kingdom, having been crucified
with Christ, buried and risen with Him, and are no longer subject to the domain
of darkness, ruled over by the prince of the power of the air.
The good news of the kingdom is that all men are invited to
enter, yet not everyone will do so. But I have begun seeing something I have
never seen before. Paul defined the gospel in 1 Corinthians 15:1-4.
{1} Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel
which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye
stand;
{2} By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what
I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.
{3} For I delivered unto you first of all that which I
also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the
scriptures;
{4} And that he was buried, and that he rose again the
third day according to the scriptures:
It is a wonderful revelation. But, Jesus added more good news
to it, when He preached (luke 4:18-19),
{18} The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath
anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the
brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of
sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,
{19} To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.
Look at what He was preaching!!!! A whole bundle of good news!!!
But the gospel of the kingdom was not an idle promise! We also find that His
preaching was followed by the manifestation of the good news.
(Mat 4:23) And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching
in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing
all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people.
He not only preached the good news of the kingdom, but He
revealed many of the blessings attendant to it. No wonder Paul referred to the
cup in 1 Corinthians 10:16 as the cup of blessing.
Since this cup was the covenant cup of Jesus’ blood,
we must examine some of the conditions which are relevant to covenant in the
Word. We must also never lose sight of the fact that this covenant was made
between God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ. The very basic precept of
covenant is that two parties must agree to enter into covenant.
It is impossible in this short treatise to touch all the
facets of covenant, so we will try to keep our focus chiefly on covenant as it
relates to the Kingdom of God.
First, there had to be another covenant, because the first
covenant did not, rather could not produce reconciliation of man to God which He
had to have to fulfill His eternal purpose.
Second, the first covenant was only a shadow, or type of that
which was truly required of a holy God.
(Heb 10:4) For it is impossible for the blood of bulls
and goats to take away sins.
But we do know that God’s holiness required the death of man
and the shedding of blood in that death as propitiation for his sin.
(Heb 9:22) …….and without shedding of blood is no
remission.
Again, we find the sequence in the Word.
(1 Cor 15:21) For since by man (Adam – the first man)
came death, by man (Jesus Christ, the son of man) came also the resurrection
of the dead.
Third, a mutual covenant could only exist between two parties
of equal standing and resource. Both parties had to bring something of equal
worth and value to the consummation in making the covenant. This covenant was
made between God the Father and His Son, and while we were included in His
death, we are the beneficiaries of this covenant.
Let us now look at some of the eternal verities inherent in
the New Covenant in the blood of Christ.
It is a better covenant.
(Heb 8:4, 6-7) {4} For if he were on earth, he should
not be a priest, seeing that there are priests that offer gifts according to
the law: ……
{6} But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry,
by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was
established upon better promises.
{7} For if that first covenant had been faultless, then
should no place have been sought for the second.
This passage continues by declaring it would be a covenant
written on the hearts, that it would be a living covenant
(Heb 8:10) For this is the covenant that I will make
with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my
laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them
a God, and they shall be to me a people:
Both the old covenant and the new covenant had God’s kingdom in view. Let us
look first at the promise in the old covenant. Exodus 19:3-6 reads,
{3} And Moses went up unto God, and the LORD called unto
him out of the mountain, saying, Thus shalt thou say to the house of Jacob,
and tell the children of Israel;
{4} Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I
bare you on eagles' wings, and brought you unto myself.
{5} Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and
keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all
people: for all the earth is mine:
{6} And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an
holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of
Israel.
Now the new.
(1 Pet 2:9) But ye are a chosen generation, a royal
priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the
praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light:
In Exodus 19:5, the first covenant was predicated on "if
ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant…." The effort and
obedience of the people would bring about the fulfilling of the First covenant.
But look at the difference in the wording of the second. "you
are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar
people…" The first was conditional, the second absolute. By Christ’s
covenant blood, the covenant is eternal and complete in Him.
(2 Cor 1:20) For all the promises of God in him are
yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us.
I would have us now look at the grace granted to us as
citizens of His Kingdom.
(Eph 2:19) So then you are no longer strangers and
aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God's
household,
The apostle Paul gives further evidence of this in Philippians 3:20, when he
writes,
(Phil 3:20) For our citizenship is in heaven, from
which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ;
We may define a citizen as follows. "A citizen is a person
owing loyalty to and entitled by birth or naturalization to the protection of a
state or nation. It is also a person having rights and access to all the
privileges, benefits and restrictions in that nation or kingdom." We may add,
that it is a perfect kingdom, needing nothing else added to enhance it.
Can you imagine what this means to us as citizens of the
kingdom of God?!!!! We are entitled to the protection, the covering of His
Kingdom, and also to all the privileges, benefits and restrictions inherent in
it. Just let the wonder and enormity of this just settle upon you for a moment.
It is incomprehensible to the natural mind, but by faith the spiritual mind is
able to grasp it. I like the joy of King David in Psalm 23 when he declared,
(Psa 23:5) Thou preparest a table before me in the
presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth
over.
I even find pleasure in the archaic term "runneth over"
(KJV). It reminds me of a bubbling brook skipping over the rocks and debris in
its path. It is a cup filled without measure. It is like a bowl we hold filled
with treasure beyond comparison.
Again, the apostle Paul tells us,
(2 Cor 4:7) But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the
excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.
This treasure and the excellency of power is the very person
of Christ Himself. We are indwelt by the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. He,
this treasure, is our life!
First I would like to define the benefits of His kingdom in a
negative manner. Our King came, the Son of God was manifested that he might
destroy the works of the devil. There is nothing Satan, the serpent, brought
about in and through the fall of man that this cup has not destroyed.
(1 John 3:8) He that committeth sin is of the devil;
for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God
was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.
According to the Scriptures, when we were crucified, buried
and risen together with Christ, we were buried to the enemy and his power of sin
forever. He no longer has the power and authority over us. His power as Deceiver
and Accuser has been forever broken. Satan is the father of lies and the
consummate liar and is revealed as such.
It is the cross, where Christ’s blood of the New Covenant
accomplished this. T. Austin Sparks wrote these words.
"The cross in its deepest meaning, touches other gods,
other lords, other objects of worship receiving the good of our lives, and
deposes them all, and brings the Lord into His place, so that we may say,
"As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." That is the meaning of the
cross. It touches everything that stands in the way of the absolute Lordship
of Jesus Christ."
And that, dear saints, is the very essence of the kingdom of
God.
If the kingdom of God is a perfect kingdom, and it is! - it
is because it is managed through the perfect will of God.
(Rom 12:2) And be not conformed to this world: but be
ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that
good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
There has never been a perfect earthly government. Because
the kingdom of God is perfect, and not of this world, it is therefore impossible
that every benefit and privilege of His kingdom could not be perfect. This is
true from His kingdom being a perfect form of government down to the last
perfect benefit and privilege. It lacks nothing!!!!! It is perfect, full
and complete.
The main benefit, out of which come all others, is the
benefit of covering. We are citizens of the kingdom of God, and are covered by
the full authority and power of His kingdom. In Colossians 1:13 we find this
recorded.
Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and
hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:
Since His kingdom is not of this world, an eternal kingdom, we are covered by
His authority and power 24 hours and day, seven days a week. There is nothing in
time or space that can change this.
Listen once again to some other perfect benefits preached by
our Lord in Luke 4:18.
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath
anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the
brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of
sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,
And again 1 Peter 2:24.
Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the
tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by
whose stripes ye were healed.
And again in Matthew 8:17.
That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the
prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses.
There are so many benefits it is not possible for us to name
them all, but I would give another passage which is limitless in its meaning and
revelation. Paul prayed this for the Ephesians. I would encourage you to read
and reread this passage until the wonder of it gets into your heart and changes
you life!
(Eph 1:16-23) {16} Cease not to give thanks for you,
making mention of you in my prayers;
{17} That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of
glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the
knowledge of him:
{18} The eyes of your understanding being enlightened;
that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the
glory of his inheritance in the saints,
{19} And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to
us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,
{20} Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from
the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,
{21} Far above all principality, and power, and might,
and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also
in that which is to come:
{22} And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him
to be the head over all things to the church,
{23} Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth
all in all.
There is one other passage I would have us examine concerning
benefits of the kingdom. Again, it is a familiar and rather lengthy passage but
is worthwhile for our understanding.
(Mat 16:13-19) {13} When Jesus came into the coasts of
Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I
the Son of man am?
{14} And they said, Some say that thou art John the
Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.
{15} He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?
{16} And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the
Christ, the Son of the living God.
{17} And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art
thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but
my Father which is in heaven.
{18} And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and
upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not
prevail against it.
{19} And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of
heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven:
and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
I would call our attention especially to verse 19. To begin
with, I do not believe this was given exclusively to the 12 apostles, the
Apostles of the Lamb. If so, this authority and power would no longer reside
within Christ’s body, but would have passed away with their deaths. We would
almost stand powerless before the onslaught of the enemy. But, it is evident in
the verse that it is a kingdom issue, which is a now issue as well as an
eternal one .
Notice also that He gave them keys, not a singular key. They
were also keys of the kingdom and not to the kingdom. It stands to
reason if you’re in the kingdom you do not need the keys to it.
Did you also notice the whatsoever in the verse? It is
clear that no issue trying to touch the kingdom from the enemy cannot be bound
or loosed through us, His body. It is also astounding that heaven is in
agreement with the authority and power He has granted us. His kingdom knows no
boundaries on earth or in heaven.
There are more benefits I am aware of, but have chosen not to
include them as the list is too long. I am also sure there are some you would
add that I may not have seen, but at this juncture I would have us consider some
other benefits that may include under privileges as well. From this point on, we
will refer to them as benefit/privileges. Since God is so gracious, it is
difficult to separate their depth. I may have them out of order, but I am not
trying to give a specific order here.
First, this cup has made us one spirit with God
Himself.
(1 Cor 6:17) But he that is joined unto the Lord is
one spirit.
Unfathomable, but a reality. It is so true that now we see as
through a glass darkly, but then we’ll know as we are known. Someday we’ll be
able to grasp this reality. But, in the meanwhile I am going to enjoy it by
faith. In Hebrews 11:6, He is the reward of our faith.
Second, we are blessed and enjoy the benefit/privilege of
worshipping Him.
(John 4:23) "But an hour is coming, and now is, when
the true worshipers shall worship the Father in spirit and truth; for such
people the Father seeks to be His worshipers.
God is the proper object, and the author of true worship. The
phrase ‘in spirit and truth’ has great depth. Jesus is the sum of all truth, and
we’ll worship God in everything that Christ is. This is enormous in scope. It
would give credence to Paul’s statement in Ephesians 3:18 when he writes,
(Eph 3:18) May be able to comprehend with all saints
what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;
Third, this cup has made it possible for us to
fellowship with Him.
(1 John 1:3) That which we have seen and heard declare
we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our
fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.
Fellowship is more than always carrying on a conversation
with one another. It is also simply enjoying one another’s presence with no
issues between. What a benefit/privilege!!!
Fourth, this cup has granted us access to His
marvelous mercy and grace.
(Heb 4:16) Let us therefore come boldly unto the
throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of
need.
I have personally discovered that He never runs short of
mercy and grace, nor is He ever unwilling to grant it. I am reminded of 1
Corinthians 10:13 which states,
(1 Cor 10:13) There hath no temptation taken you but
such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be
tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way
to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
The word ‘temptation’ also means provocation or test. How
marvelous His mercy and grace!!!
Fifth, we are His friends.
(John 15:15) Henceforth I call you not servants; for
the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends;
for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.
This was an awesome blessing to me when I realized I am His
friend and He is mine. Friends enjoy being in one another’s presence. I would in
no way diminish His glory, for He is the king of Kings and Lord of Lords. It
only increases the wonder when I know that the King of Kings and Lord of Lords
is my personal Friend. I hope I never get over it! This gives a reality to John
14:13 when our Lord declared,
And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do,
that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
That’s my Friend speaking. Do you see it?!!!
But lastly, this cup made the Father’s eternal purpose sure.
(Eph 1:8-10) {8} Wherein he hath abounded toward us in
all wisdom and prudence;
{9} Having made known unto us the mystery of his will,
according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:
{10} That in the dispensation (Greek oikonomia,
oy-kon-om-ee'-ah; administration, or stewardship) .of the fulness of times
he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in
heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:
In the fullness of times everything in heaven and on earth is
going to gathered together, or summed up in Christ.
(Col 2:9) For in him (Christ) dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead
bodily.
This is certainly more than just a description of the body of
the Godhead. It would include His glory, His Sovereignty, His wisdom, His
Omniscience, His eternal purpose, His authority, His power, His infinite love
and grace, His lovingkindness, His faithfulness, His justice and all the other
attributes I may have missed. But, everything of God is in Him. Christ is your
measure of judgment!
This presents the great eternal question to us. Are you in
Christ? Not, do you know something about Him, but are you in Him? When you
ultimately stand before God in judgment, will you stand before Him in Christ? It
matters not what kind of person you may have been, but are you in Christ? I
matters not how good you may have been, but are you in Christ? Again, Christ is
your measure of judgment!
Dear Lord, grant unto us the glory and the finality of the
meaning of "This cup is the new testament (covenant) in my blood." Oh
Lord, that we may walk before You now in Christ, and someday stand before You in
Him! In His name, Amen.
