Two Cups

Reading with my kiddos this week has brought me to tears many times. It's not like this is an unusual occurrence. We read tons of amazing books that we end up biting our nails to see how it ends and lifting up teary cheers in the end.

But the stories this week have been violent ones.

Ones about death.

And not the suspense genre kind.

Of these historical stories, the one that most deeply affected me was the one today called Two Cups.

It started with a simple meal, shared among friends. One cup, a symbol for what would take place starting later that night.

But the other cup symbolized a willingness to take part in an act that would mean death. Destruction. Hell in a very literal sense.

The first cup held wine and was blessed by Jesus and given to the disciples.

The second He drank in the garden of Gethsemane.

It's that cup which has brought me to tears this week. Not only did Jesus endure excruciating physical pain, but He became sin and experienced seperation from the Father.

So we wouldn't have to.

I can't begin to comprehend it. But it does something to my heart when I try. When I see the whip lashes and rough cross. When I listen to His last words.

When I realize He did all that for me.

As my children and I were talking about this, I said something that continues to reverberate in my soul~ I wonder if we really thought about what Jesus did on the cross, would it be so easy to sin?

For me, when I really contemplate the cross, it breaks my heart how easy it is for me to walk away and forget. To sin.

But that is one of the beautiful things about Easter. It's a time to remember. The cups Jesus drank. The cross where He died. The Empy Tomb.

To lift our eyes once again and give thanks, surrounded by other believers, watched by the angels and smiled on by God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.

Because the cross declares our freedom from sin, the punishment paid. My life and yours redeemed.

And the Garden of Gethsemane reminds me of the two cups. Jesus offered one to do in remembrance of the new covenant. He drank from the second cup, willingly accepting the Father's plan. He took on suffering, sin and separation so that we could experience salvation. Abundant Life. Freedom.

I pray this Easter is one of remembrance. Of cup drinking. Of tasting and seeing that the Lord is good. And taking the cup willingly, receiving His good plan for us~ bitter along with sweet.

God is good all the time. And all the time, He is good. May this Good Friday and Easter Sunday be eyes-open days, full of light.

Drink deep and worship.