In Jewish culture, the Kiddush cup represents covenant and harvest. It is a picture of two coming together in unity, as in marriage, and drinking from the same vessel. From this unity, there is a harvest. The cup of the covenant, Jesus said, is poured for us.
- “Likewise He also took the cup after supper, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you.’”—Luke 22:20
We can choose to partake of the cup of the covenant or not. The fruit produced reflects the choice we made.
Jesus calls us to abide in the vine and to bring forth fruit. In John 15, He speaks about being the true vine:
- “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.
“I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.”—John 15:1-8
- First, you must be grafted into the vine. This means to accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior, the manifestation of the living God who came to die for your sin and was raised on the third day. As a result, you are grafted into the family of Israel, not replacing but adopted in.
- Second, you have to be pruned. Maybe you are in a season of pruning. The Lord is cutting away the things that get in the way of your purpose. Pruning can be hard. But it is necessary and good. It equips you to produce more fruit.
- Third, you are crushed, filtered, and poured into the cup of the covenant. Similar to pruning, this can be a hard season. But a shift happens too. It reflects the spiritual shift that has already taken place and then is poured out and seen in the physical.
The point is this: When we choose Jesus, we abide in the vine and plant in partnership with God. With Him, we cultivate and grow the fruit of the vine, which is poured into the cup of the covenant. From this fullness and unity, we are empowered in our next choice.
Choices in the Process
Choices are integrated into the process of coming together as one and drinking from the cup of the covenant.
As Believers, we can learn a lot about making choices from Esther and Moses—both were faced with choices. Both chose to follow God. The result was good fruit—deliverance for the Jewish people.
One of the greatest teachings on choices comes from the example of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane.
- “…‘O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.’”—Matthew 26:39
Esther and Mordecai drank the cup of God’s choice that could have cost them their lives.
Moses chose to “turn and look” and go to Mount Sinai to drink his cup as Israel’s deliverer. All of them had to decide to accept the cup of the covenant being offered to them.
The four cups of Passover are always a reminder that we, too, must choose to take the cups laid before us each year. This is not something we do once or twice in our life. This is something we have to consistently choose to do as Believers.
The Four Cups of Passover:
- Cup of Sanctification. We must be planted in holiness.
- Cup of Plagues. We must give praise that we are redeemed from all curses.
- Cup of Redemption. We must receive when healing is released, and new beginnings are set in motion.
- Cup of Praise. We must proclaim all God’s promises, activating the blessings of Passover.
God gives us unique opportunities each year to receive and release the cup He offers. Choosing to receive is a prophetic and symbolic act. It releases deliverance, redemption, and healing.
Choosing the cup of covenant activates a return of all that has been stolen.
Let us come together as friends and family this Passover and abide in the true vine, taking the cup of the covenant which represents…
- Salvation
- Redemption
- Deliverance
…and looking forward to the fruit that will be produced.
During this spring season, let us come together in unity and partner with God in prophetic acts.
- “Therefore prophesy concerning the land of Israel, and say to the mountains, the hills, the rivers, and the valleys, ‘Thus says the Lord God… “…But you, O mountains of Israel, you shall shoot forth your branches and yield your fruit to My people Israel, for they are about to come.”’”—Ezekiel 36:6,8
Like Esther—You have been called for such a time as this. Will you choose to answer the call? Proclaim, “I am a vessel of deliverance, and I will be delivered.”
Like Moses—“Turn and look.” Will you walk out the instruction given to you? Then proclaim, “I am a vessel of obedience, and I will live in obedience to His Word.”
Like Jesus—Drink from the cup of the covenant the Father offers you. Will you activate it? Then proclaim, “I am a vessel of salvation and redemption, and I will use my life to bring deliverance, redemption, and salvation to many.”
Let the power of covenant be manifested in your life!