Cup of the Lord
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-Introduction
-In the lesson last Sunday morning, we eventually made our way to the Garden of Gethsemane.
-We did so within the context of decisions and we noted that Jesus had a choice. He had
a choice between Himself and you and me. As we know, thankfully, He chose us, went
to the cross on our behalf and served as the sacrifice for our sins. Thanks to Him we can
have hope.
-This evening, I would like to return to the Garden of Gethsemane and consider the prayers
of Jesus. Perhaps there is more significance in the words Jesus used – more so than what
many realize.
-Matt 26:37-46
-In His prayer He says, “Let this cup pass from me”. What did he mean by “this cup”?
-Old Testament Examples & Motivation
-Rom 15:4 - Studies in the O.T. will certainly give us a better understanding of “the cup” in Jesus’
prayer!
-Job 21 – Job continues his defense
-Job makes reference to the fact that sinful people seem to have it very good at times.
-Like we sometimes sing – Tempted and tried we’re oft made to wonder why it should be
thus all the day long, while there are others living about us, never molested though in
the wrong.
-However, Job goes on to say, “…he shall drink of the wrath of the Almighty” (vs 20).
-We see that Job compares God’s wrath to a drink. What are drinks poured into? – cups
-Psalm 75:4-10
-Here we find punishment for the wicked (drinking from the cup) but protection for the righteous.
-Isaiah 51:17-19, 21-23
-In regards to Isa 51, “The prophet sets forth one of those sad, tragic and pitiable pictures often
found in Scripture (e.g. Ezek 16:23-43). In this instance the picture is that of a woman in a
drunken stupor whose children are incapable of helping her…The cup Jerusalem has drained is
Babylon (Jer 51:7), whom Jehovah will likewise require to drink the cup of His wrath someday
(see v23). Having drunk of this cup, Jerusalem staggers, stumbles, and falls, for she has been
forced to drain it even to the dregs, an indication of the completeness of her judgment”
(Hailey, Homer, A Commentary on Isaiah, © 1992, Religious Supply, Inc,. p427).
-The Babylonian captivity is described as drinking “at the hand of the LORD the cup of his
fury” – the wrath of God.
-He allowed His people to be defeated and taken into 70 years of captivity.
-vs 19 – desolation and destruction, famine and the sword
-Jeremiah 25
-The info provided in this passage dates it to 605 B.C. – the same year that the Egyptians fell to
the Babylonians in the great battle at Carchemish. At the defeat of the Egyptians, the hopes of
many of God’s people were crushed. Rather than putting their faith and trust in God by turning
to Him, they turned to the Egyptians who then suffered defeat.
-vs 1-7, 11-13, 15-17, 27-28
-vs 15, “cup of his fury”; vs 28, “Ye shall certainly drink” – fearful statements, strong motivation
-In regards to Babylon: “An air-view of Babylon – once the world’s greatest city – shows
only a mound of dirt and broken-down walls” (Jackson, Wayne, Jeremiah & Lamentations, © 1997,
Courier Publications, Stockton, CA, pg 62).
-Lamentations 4:21 (Ps 137:7-8)
-The Edomites would also drink of the cup of the Lord. In 70 A.D., when the Romans destroyed
Jerusalem, the Edomites disappear from the historical record.
-Ezekiel 23 – Parable of two sisters – Samaria (Israel) and Jerusalem (Judah)
-Samaria committed whoredoms with other nations. Therefore, God allowed her to suffer at the
hands of the Assyrians.
-Jerusalem also committed whoredoms and suffered many terrible consequences.
-vs 31-35 – a strong warning against turning our backs on God
-Jesus in the Garden
-Now consider the scene of Jesus praying in the garden.
-Luke 22:42-45
-He realized that the wrath/fury of God awaited Him. He knew the significance of “the cup” of God.
-He was about to pay the price for our sins. He was sacrificing Himself for us.
-He was going to face the wrath of God on our behalf.
-Rom 5:9
-Warnings to be Heeded
-Heb 10:26-31; 2 Thess 1:7-9; Rev 14:10
-“Wine unmixed here means that the punishment would be up to full measure…This is a strong
incentive to righteous living” (Hinds, John T., A Commentary on the Book of Revelation, © 1983,
Gospel Advocate Company, Nashville, TN, pg 209).
-In many passages of scripture, including the O.T. passages included in this lesson, we read of God’s
wrath. We see the many consequences that have come upon God’s people for their sinfulness.
However, these involved the diluted wrath of God – handed out in measure. However, Rev 14:10
warns of God’s undiluted wrath – the cup of His fury at full strength.
-Jesus’ deep dread of the cup of the Lord should speak volumes to us.
-If you do not obey the truth of the Gospel and abide within it – there is a cup of the undiluted fury of
God that has your name on it and you will drink of it.
-That is a thought that should make the disobedient/unfaithful tremble.
-We must obey the Gospel of Christ and live faithfully to God. Are you?
<Return to Sermon Outlines>
-Introduction
-In the lesson last Sunday morning, we eventually made our way to the Garden of Gethsemane.
-We did so within the context of decisions and we noted that Jesus had a choice. He had
a choice between Himself and you and me. As we know, thankfully, He chose us, went
to the cross on our behalf and served as the sacrifice for our sins. Thanks to Him we can
have hope.
-This evening, I would like to return to the Garden of Gethsemane and consider the prayers
of Jesus. Perhaps there is more significance in the words Jesus used – more so than what
many realize.
-Matt 26:37-46
-In His prayer He says, “Let this cup pass from me”. What did he mean by “this cup”?
-Old Testament Examples & Motivation
-Rom 15:4 - Studies in the O.T. will certainly give us a better understanding of “the cup” in Jesus’
prayer!
-Job 21 – Job continues his defense
-Job makes reference to the fact that sinful people seem to have it very good at times.
-Like we sometimes sing – Tempted and tried we’re oft made to wonder why it should be
thus all the day long, while there are others living about us, never molested though in
the wrong.
-However, Job goes on to say, “…he shall drink of the wrath of the Almighty” (vs 20).
-We see that Job compares God’s wrath to a drink. What are drinks poured into? – cups
-Psalm 75:4-10
-Here we find punishment for the wicked (drinking from the cup) but protection for the righteous.
-Isaiah 51:17-19, 21-23
-In regards to Isa 51, “The prophet sets forth one of those sad, tragic and pitiable pictures often
found in Scripture (e.g. Ezek 16:23-43). In this instance the picture is that of a woman in a
drunken stupor whose children are incapable of helping her…The cup Jerusalem has drained is
Babylon (Jer 51:7), whom Jehovah will likewise require to drink the cup of His wrath someday
(see v23). Having drunk of this cup, Jerusalem staggers, stumbles, and falls, for she has been
forced to drain it even to the dregs, an indication of the completeness of her judgment”
(Hailey, Homer, A Commentary on Isaiah, © 1992, Religious Supply, Inc,. p427).
-The Babylonian captivity is described as drinking “at the hand of the LORD the cup of his
fury” – the wrath of God.
-He allowed His people to be defeated and taken into 70 years of captivity.
-vs 19 – desolation and destruction, famine and the sword
-Jeremiah 25
-The info provided in this passage dates it to 605 B.C. – the same year that the Egyptians fell to
the Babylonians in the great battle at Carchemish. At the defeat of the Egyptians, the hopes of
many of God’s people were crushed. Rather than putting their faith and trust in God by turning
to Him, they turned to the Egyptians who then suffered defeat.
-vs 1-7, 11-13, 15-17, 27-28
-vs 15, “cup of his fury”; vs 28, “Ye shall certainly drink” – fearful statements, strong motivation
-In regards to Babylon: “An air-view of Babylon – once the world’s greatest city – shows
only a mound of dirt and broken-down walls” (Jackson, Wayne, Jeremiah & Lamentations, © 1997,
Courier Publications, Stockton, CA, pg 62).
-Lamentations 4:21 (Ps 137:7-8)
-The Edomites would also drink of the cup of the Lord. In 70 A.D., when the Romans destroyed
Jerusalem, the Edomites disappear from the historical record.
-Ezekiel 23 – Parable of two sisters – Samaria (Israel) and Jerusalem (Judah)
-Samaria committed whoredoms with other nations. Therefore, God allowed her to suffer at the
hands of the Assyrians.
-Jerusalem also committed whoredoms and suffered many terrible consequences.
-vs 31-35 – a strong warning against turning our backs on God
-Jesus in the Garden
-Now consider the scene of Jesus praying in the garden.
-Luke 22:42-45
-He realized that the wrath/fury of God awaited Him. He knew the significance of “the cup” of God.
-He was about to pay the price for our sins. He was sacrificing Himself for us.
-He was going to face the wrath of God on our behalf.
-Rom 5:9
-Warnings to be Heeded
-Heb 10:26-31; 2 Thess 1:7-9; Rev 14:10
-“Wine unmixed here means that the punishment would be up to full measure…This is a strong
incentive to righteous living” (Hinds, John T., A Commentary on the Book of Revelation, © 1983,
Gospel Advocate Company, Nashville, TN, pg 209).
-In many passages of scripture, including the O.T. passages included in this lesson, we read of God’s
wrath. We see the many consequences that have come upon God’s people for their sinfulness.
However, these involved the diluted wrath of God – handed out in measure. However, Rev 14:10
warns of God’s undiluted wrath – the cup of His fury at full strength.
-Jesus’ deep dread of the cup of the Lord should speak volumes to us.
-If you do not obey the truth of the Gospel and abide within it – there is a cup of the undiluted fury of
God that has your name on it and you will drink of it.
-That is a thought that should make the disobedient/unfaithful tremble.
-We must obey the Gospel of Christ and live faithfully to God. Are you?
<Return to Sermon Outlines>
