For centuries Jews have broken bread and taken the cup of salvation without knowing the real reason.
Let’s take one more look at Psalm 116. It plays a strategic role in history. Recall that this psalm is included in a collection of six psalms (Ps 113–118) known as the Egyptian Hallel, sung by the Jewish people on Passover evening at key moments in the festival. They were designed to help them recall their great exodus from bondage. When we discover that the word rendered servant twice in verse 16 is actually “bondslave,” and you read, “You have loosed my bonds,” it comes alive, doesn’t it! What a song to sing on Passover night! The Jews took the cup of wine four times during the evening, called arba kosot, aligning with the four ways God helped His people, as expressed in Exodus 6:6-7, “I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, I will rescue you from their bondage, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm…I will take you as My people.” Cup 1, at the beginning of the meal, is the cup of Sanctification (God setting Israel apart), answering to “I will bring you out.” Cup 2, taken along with reciting Psalms 113 and 114, is the cup of Praise (Hallel), answering to “I will rescue you.” Cup 3, taken after the breaking of bread, the middle matzoh (the Afikomen), is the cup of Salvation, answering to “I will redeem you.” At this point, Psalm 116 was read, “I will take up the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the Lord” (v 13). Yes, “The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ?” (1 Cor 10:16). This is our great privilege each week at the Lord’s Supper. Ah, the precious blood of Messiah, God’s Lamb! The Lord deferred from drinking Cup 4, the cup of Acceptance (Mt 26:29). It answers to the words, “I will take you as My people.” He still awaits their acceptance of Him.