Luke 22:17-18

Luke is the only gospel writer who mentions more than one cup being shared at the Passover meal.  As I wonder about that fact, I think that it is a possibility that Jesus did not drink any of cups.  I will tell you why.  Verse 17 sounds like he told his disciples to share the cup among themselves.  Verse 18 is interesting.  The word translated “from now on” can have an alternate meaning of “now”.   You can see both examples in the translations below”

“I will not drink of the fruit of the vine from now on until the kingdom of God comes”  NASV

“I will not (now) drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come”  KJV

"Take this and pass it among you. As for me, I'll not drink wine again until the kingdom of God arrives." MESSAGE

Jesus just said (in verse 16) how he had longed to eat the Passover with his disciples this one last time and that he would never eat it again until it was fulfilled in the Kingdom of God. That statement included the four cups.  They were part of the meal.  But now Luke writes down that Jesus also said something about not drinking of the “fruit of the vine” until the Kingdom of God comes.   If Jesus declined to drink any of the cups that night… what would have been a possible reason?  This is what I thought of:

• Priests were not allowed to drink wine and enter the temple to offer sacrifices. Leviticus 10:9
• A person who had taken a Nazarite vow could not drink wine, or ingest any grape product,while they were living out the days of their vow.  Numbers 6:1-27

I can see Jesus setting himself aside for God’s special purpose by taking a Nazarite vow.  And I can also see him as my high priest entering the Holy of Holies with the ultimate sacrifice for my sin.  Either would have required his abstaining from the cups that evening.

Every now and then I like to paraphrase what I have read in the scripture.  I am not inspired so you don’t have to accept what I have written.   But here is how I would say what Jesus was saying in Luke 22:17 – 18.

“You guys go ahead and partake of these cups tonight.  I cannot this time since I have set myself apart to God for the task of becoming the sacrificial lamb tomorrow evening.  I will celebrate with you later when the Kingdom of God comes.”  Tealease

If this is true that Jesus set himself apart for God’s purpose by denying himself certain things, (like not ingesting anything coming from a grape vine) then perhaps I should look at my own life and do the same.  Are there times or moments when I should change my behavior to demonstrate my dedication to my spiritual journey?  I think maybe yes.