Genesis 35:14 And Jacob set up a pillar in the place where he talked with HIM, even a pillar of stone: and he poured a drink offering thereon, and he poured oil thereon. And Jacob called the name of the place where GOD spake with him, Beth-el. [King James translation]
Numbers 6:17 And he shall offer the ram for a sacrifice of peace offerings unto the LORD, with the basket of unleavened bread: the priest shall offer also his meat offering, and his drink offering. [King James translation]
John 7:37 On the last day, the climax of the holidays, JESUS shouted to the crowds, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to ME and drink.” [Living Bible translation.]
2 Timothy 4:6 For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness....
[New International translation]
Summary:
One of the first recorded occurrences of a drink offering was when GOD appeared to Jacob, blessed him and changed his name to Israel. Jacob called the place where GOD met him and communed with him, Bethel, meaning “house of GOD.” Then, Jacob built a stone alter and worshipped GOD, and poured out a drink offering to GOD.
The drink offering became a part of the Israelite worship service. In addition to the burnt grain offering or animal sacrifice of the ram, the drink offering, along with oil, was made to GOD with other offerings. It was part of the service to GOD.
When JESUS offered HIMSELF as a living sacrifice to GOD, HE also became our “drink offering.” In John 7.37, HE invites everyone to drink of HIM. At the Passover supper, it is written that: HE took a cup and giving thanks for it gave it to HIS disciples and instructed them (and us) to “drink” for “this is MY BLOOD,” symbolic of HIS drink offering “HIS SACRIFICIAL BLOOD,” which HE would soon shed for us.
HE asked us to commemorate HIS DRINK OFFERING by taking communion with one another and in our worship service to GOD, in remembrance of HIM (JESUS).
In 2 Timothy 4:6, Paul reminds us that all disciples of CHRIST must become like HIM, a “sacrificial offering” or a “drink offering” to GOD with our very lives. Paul cannot BE HIM, but we must all strive to be like HIM, pouring ourselves out to HIM daily, with the guidance, direction and help of HIS HOLY SPIRIT, in us. Our lives are not our own.
THE DRINK LIBATION
The libation to honor GOD or to honor the spirit of one who has died is a ritual prevalent in many cultures. In ancient Egypt, ancient Greece, and ancient Rome the libation was part of their religious practices and culture. In Africa, the pouring of a libation (sometimes palm wine) or water is done to invite or show homage to the ancestors and GOD. Libation practices can also be found in South America, China, Japan, Russia and in the religions of Buddhism and Hinduism. For example in Russia one of the old traditions is to pour vodka on a grave. Even American rappers engage in a drink libation, often depicting themselves in videos as “pouring one out” for “a dead homie.” See, “Libation,” www.wikipedia.org.
If only the whole world were to celebrate the real communion libation in CHRIST.
EXAMING DRINKS
Every day most of us must decide which drink to drink. For most of us it would be wise to think about our health and to consider what’s in the drink. Extensive studies have shown that some drinks are high in phenols and flavonoids---antioxidants chemicals that naturally form in foods. These antioxidants help prevent chronic diseases such as heart diseases and cancer. Black tea, green tea and cocoa are drinks high in antioxidants. Reporting on a complicated chemical analysis performed by South Korean researcher Ki Won Lee, the following was noted:
- Cocoa had 611 mg of phenols and 564 mg of flavonoids.
- Green tea had 165 mg of phenols and 47 mg of flavonoids.
- Black tea had 124 mg of phenols and 34 mg of flavonoids.
In other words, cocoa had almost 3 times the antioxidants as green tea. See, “Sweet! Hot Cocoa May Prevent Heart Disease,” www.wedmd.com.
Although hot cocoa may have more antioxidants than green tea, it may also have more “sugar” or other chemical, depending upon the other ingredients. So look at the big picture and decide which one or one(s) would be best for your health. As always, if you have a medical problem, consult your personal physician about your nutritional questions.
Some drinks bring back memories. Remember “Sun Tea?” Sun Tea was the way that the ancestors, who had to be energy and time efficient, made tea. On hot days, an efficient grandmother or grandfather would just find a large mason jar, fill it with water, drop in five or six teabags, put a lid on the jar and then place it outside in the sun to seep. This was making tea “the good old-fashion way,” without electricity and without adding even more heat to a hot kitchen or house by boiling water on a stove on very hot days. Once the tea was good and dark, the tea tags were removed, ice, lemon, lime, honey or other “extras” could be added. Unlike boiled water tea, which would seep quickly and sometimes result in tea bags often only releasing a small portion of their color or flavor, sun tea seeping was slow and natural.
A Sun Tea demonstration is also a nice way to remember the ancestors as well as pass on a fun tradition to a younger generation. It’s just another way to remember.
OUR SPIRITUAL DRINK
Wednesday is a day of discernment, examination, making choices and prayer. Today, when we drink, let us all pray that we drink the right drink.
Wednesday is also a day, when we can contemplate and prepare for our next communion worship experience. We can think about the spiritual self-examination we plan to conduct. Or think about the communion experience beforehand and our focus. Perhaps your reminders will include the followings:
THE NEXT TIME I TAKE COMMUNION:
- I want to remember JESUS. I want to remember JESUS pouring HIMSELF out for me (especially for me---just for me!) on an old rugged cross?
- I want to focus on HIS WORD and remember:
- HE gave up HIS BODY and life, which is represented by “the bread” because HE became lifesaving “manna” from heaven for me (See 1 Cor. 11:24)
- This DRINK that I drink represents HIS blood, which HE shed for me. This drink is symbolically of the “Passover blood,” and “the temple animal sacrifice blood,” (because HE took my place and all humanity’s place in the judgment execution seat) (1 Cor. 11:25-27).
- I never want to forget this GREAT GIFT and SACRIFICE, so I continue to examine myself, admit my shortcomings, and in doing so, continue to accept the power of this GIFT to reconcile me with GOD and others. (1 Cor. 11:28
- As I eat and drink and remember, I pray GOD make me a living libation, like JESUS.
- As I drink, I ask for spiritual rehydration to serve (John 13:12-17). Like JESUS, when He washed the disciples’ feet, I want to learn to be an humble servant.
- I want to also remember the power of prayer. Like JESUS, when the going gets rough, I want to pray fervently. And, I want GOD be gloried in my circumstances, if it is HIS WILL. (John 17:1-4). .
So, start preparing for your next communion experience now.
Today, let us all ask GOD to make us all thirsty for HIM.
Drink and BE BLESSED!
