The Cup

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● 1Cor 11:25 . . In the same way also the cup, after supper, saying: This
cup is the new covenant in my blood.

I doubt the apostles could read the words of the new covenant floating in
that cup like mystics read tea leaves.

I would have to say that 1Cor 11:25 is saying that nobody but nobody
should partake of the wine species without at least first knowing what the
new covenant says; and after knowing what it says; are on board with it.

For everyone's convenience who may be interested, below is the location of
the new covenant in the Old Testament along with its text copied word for
word from the 2011 Catholic Bible.

FYI: The word "oracle" refers to God's statements. In other words; an oracle
is a quote. For example Ex 4:22 where Moses is instructed to announce:
Thus says the LORD; Israel is my son, my firstborn.

● Jer 31:31-34 . . See, days are coming-- oracle of the LORD --when I will
make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah. It will
not be like the covenant I made with their ancestors the day I took them by
the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt. They broke my covenant,
though I was their master-- oracle of the LORD.

. . . But this is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after those
days-- oracle of the LORD. I will place my law within them, and write it upon
their hearts; I will be their God, and they shall be my people. They will no
longer teach their friends and relatives, “Know the LORD!” Everyone, from
least to greatest, shall know me-- oracle of the LORD --for I will forgive their
iniquity and no longer remember their sin.

See also the 8th chapter of the letter to Hebrews.
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The new covenant wasn't an afterthought; it was essential. The reason being
that under the terms and conditions of the old covenant, God can forgive
sins, and He can provide a measure of spiritual hygiene to make the people
presentable for worship. But the covenant doesn't allow God to wipe their
personnel files. Sins; though forgiven, stay on the books.

● Ex 34:4-7 . . Moses then cut two stone tablets like the former, and early
the next morning he went up Mount Sinai as the LORD had commanded him,
taking in his hand the two stone tablets. The LORD came down in a cloud
and stood with him there and proclaimed the name, “LORD.”

. . . So the LORD passed before him and proclaimed: The LORD, the LORD, a
God gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in love and fidelity,
continuing his love for a thousand generations, and forgiving wickedness,
rebellion, and sin; yet not declaring the guilty guiltless

In other words; the old covenant doesn't allow God to acquit the guilty. Had
that situation continued, then when the books are opened at Rev 20:11-15,
every last one of the people's sins-- the forgiven and the unforgiven --would
be right there on record to prove that they deserve nothing less than
termination in a lake of brimstone; which is a mode of death akin to a
foundry worker falling into a kettle of molten metal. Forgiveness under the
terms and conditions of the old covenant is little more than a reprieve.

Long story short: there's a reckoning coming for people whose religion is
based upon the old covenant. It will finally, at long last, get its pound of
flesh as per Lev 26:14-39, Deut 27:15-26, and Deut 28:15-68. That's a
frightful prospect; especially for scofflaws.

● Num 15:30-31 . . Anyone who acts defiantly, whether a native or an alien,
reviles the LORD, and shall be cut off from among the people. For having
despised the word of the LORD and broken his commandment, he must be
cut off entirely and bear the punishment.

● Heb 10:26-27 . . If we sin deliberately after receiving knowledge of the
truth, there no longer remains sacrifice for sins but a fearful prospect of
judgment and a flaming fire that is going to consume the adversaries.
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● Luke 22:20 . .This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which will be shed
for you.

The shedding of Christ's blood reflects the 53rd chapter of Isaiah where he's
depicted as the sacrificial offering announced by John the baptizer.

● John 1:29 . .The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said:
Look, the lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!

The "sin of the world" includes Old Testament sin too. (Acts 13:38-39, Rom
3:25, Heb 9:15)

But the "new covenant in my blood" is best explained by some information
found in the letter to Hebrews; which borrows from the Old Testament to do
so.

● Heb 9:16-20 . . Now where there is a will, the death of the testator must
be established. For a will takes effect only at death; it has no force while the
testator is alive. Thus not even the first covenant was inaugurated without
blood.

. . .When every commandment had been proclaimed by Moses to all the
people according to the law, he took the blood of calves [and goats],
together with water and crimson wool and hyssop, and sprinkled both the
book itself and all the people, saying: This is the blood of the covenant
which God has enjoined upon you.

So then, Jesus' blood not only takes away the sin of the world, but it also
served to sprinkle the new covenant and thereby set it in stone, so to speak.

This is all a lot to keep in mind during the communion service. As a young
Catholic boy, I was not required to; but in time eventually came to see that
Jesus would've approved had I been informed to do so.

● Heb 12:24 . .The blood of sprinkling that speaks better things than that of
Abel.

Abel's spilled blood condemned a murderer. (Gen 4:10)

Jesus' sprinkled blood protects murderers. (1John 2:1-2)
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