The Cup

While looking through some old papers I found a story written by my Dad over 50 years ago! He relates a personal incident that happened while he and his brother Harold were attending a Pastor’s conference in Boston. It is my joy to share it with you -

My brother and I were seated at the counter in a lovely restaurant enjoying our lunch. There came in and sat beside us two of the most unsightly creatures you would want to see. After looking at them it seemed that my appetite vanished. The woman was horribly filthy, and the man who was with her was equally dirty. As he was drinking his coffee, I observed that the rim of the cup was stained with grime and dirt, and what else, I don’t know. However, I do know that I couldn’t enjoy the rest of my lunch.
Harold and I both agreed that they were perhaps the most unlovable, unrespectable derelicts of society that we had ever seen. I was amazed that they were given admittance into the restaurant.
I have thought since about those two depraved creatures. I have thought of the cup that they drank from with its sagging rim of grime, dirt, and germ-laden saliva. I have wondered how I would have felt if I had been asked to drink from that same unsightly cup? Could I have put my mouth to a cup so defiled? Everything in me rebels at the very thought of such a scenario.
And then there comes to my mind the portion of Scripture that tells me of the spotless, sinless, blameless Son of God who was required to drink from a cup a billion-fold more defiled than the one I saw. A cup containing all the unsightly, unholy, vile sins of the entire world. See Him now, friend. His garments gory in the sweat of His soul-agony and the slumbering disciples aroused to hear his only plea, “Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me.” See Him with his brow and face red with the crimson blood that forced its way through the pores of his flesh. He has prayed through. He has come to the place where it is all settled. He speaks. The disciples hear the words, “The cup which my Father has given me, shall I not drink it?” That cup, filled to the brim, so polluted and putrid, He was now willing to drain its dregs. The God-man has pressed the cup to his lips and its bitter contents slip away. He who knew no sin has become sin for us that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. Hallelujah, what a Savior!
And now He leaves the garden in full victory. The light of triumph is on His face. There is no terror now. The soldiers do not intimidate Him; Caiaphas’ court presents no fear; Pilate’s judgment hall can hold no alarm. The whip, the fists, the thorns, the cross, the nails, the spear, they were all in that bitter cup. Calvary was in the cup and He drank it.
Friend, let it touch your heart. Let it provoke you to tears and repentance, to thanksgiving and praise. To think that He drank of the cup for you, for me.

Kenneth H. Beesley, my beloved Dad, went to be with His Lord on February 7, 1990.