And he took the cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them: and they all drank of it. – Mark 14: 23

At first glance, what we have here in this text appears to be a common blessing over a common cup. One would expect nothing particularly unique or unusual about a godly man saying grace. However, when you look at the context and at the cup, you will be amazed that Jesus had the will or even the wherewithal to give thanks.

This was no bachelor party. This was the last supper with his disciples. This was no cup of vintage wine. This was a bitter cup of woe. This was not a New Year’s Eve celebration. This was the eve of his crucifixion. Yet, he drank the cup and before he drank it, he gave thanks. Why and for what?

He thanked God for the cup. The cup was his purpose. The cup was his calling. The cup was his reason d’etre. The cup was why he had been born in the first place. The cup was his mission from God. As painful as this part of the process may have been, he was thankful that God had given him a kingdom cup which tied him to and helped him advance the kingdom of God.

He thanked God for the companions. Soon after this moment, one of his disciples would betray him and the rest would desert him. However, in this one eternal moment of solidarity in that upper room, Jesus had companions to support him. He not only passed the cup to them. They too drank of it. The irony of this all is that while these men deserted Jesus on that night, in the days to come, each of them would gladly accept their own individual cups and champion the cause of Christ.

He thanked God for the cross. The cup was not the problem. The problem was that the wine in it represented the blood which Jesus would have to shed on Calvary. Of course, the Lord did not relish the thought of dying such an ignominious death. But, he knew without the shedding of blood there would be no remission of sin. And with the shedding of his blood once and for all, all sin would be remitted for those who repent. No thanks for the pain, but much thanks for the privilege of playing a pivotal part in the plan of redemption.

Have you ever given thanks on your way to a cross?