The Fourth Cup
Was the Last Supper left incomplete?
Dear Friends,
Below, you’ll find an article I wrote about a powerful insight that completely shifted my understanding of Jesus’ final words on the Cross. It was one of those “Ah-ha” moments—the kind that makes Scripture come alive in a way I had never seen before. I had long understood the Eucharist as the source and summit of our faith, but what I hadn’t fully grasped was how Jesus’ last words—“It is finished”—weren’t just about His suffering ending, but about completing the sacrifice itself. The moment wasn’t just about death, but about fulfillment. I hope what follows helps you see it in a new light, just as it did for me.
But first, I want to share some exciting news!
The Always Toward the Light Store is now open! Right now, it holds just a few resources—but many more are on the way, including print books, ebooks, and study guides.
One of the biggest upcoming releases is The Skeptical Catholic, which is just days away from going live. I’ve requested one final review to make sure everything is just right, and once it’s ready, I’m considering offering a special signed edition in the store. This edition would include everything—tax, expedited shipping once it’s in my hands, and a personal note from me. Once it’s listed in the store, you’ll be able to purchase a “ReadMe” download, which will allow you to send me your mailing address so I can personally ship your copy. 😊
For digital resources, I’ve kept prices low because I want these materials to be accessible to everyone. They require a great deal of time, love, and mental energy to create, but my goal is to get them into as many hands as possible. If the cost of a digital product is ever a barrier, just reach out—I’ll gladly offer a deeper discount or send a copy for free.
I can’t do this alone. If Always Toward the Light has been meaningful to you, I would be truly grateful for your support—whether by visiting the store, sharing these resources, or simply continuing this journey with me. We’re still a small voice here on Substack, but I deeply appreciate the conversations and connections I’ve had with so many of you. Your encouragement means the world to me, and I can’t thank you enough. My hope is that the materials we produce will not only be valuable and inspiring but will also help you grow in understanding and love for our Catholic faith.
And now—let me share the moment that changed my understanding of Jesus' words on the Cross…
With gratitude,
John Henry
Reflections on Jesus’ Words at the Last Supper and the Cross
As a Catholic, I’ve often found myself reflecting on the words Jesus spoke at the Last Supper and during His agony on the Cross. These moments in Scripture are deeply powerful, yet they become even more profound when seen through the lens of Jewish tradition—especially the Passover. Reading Dr. Brandt Pitre’s Jesus and the Jewish Roots of the Eucharist and Dr. Scott Hahn’s The Fourth Cup opened my eyes in ways I never expected, helping me see that Jesus’ final words weren’t just about His suffering and death. They were about fulfillment—a divine Passover that reshaped history.
If you’ve ever longed for a deeper understanding of the Eucharist, I encourage you to explore these works. They helped me connect the dots between the Old and New Covenants, and I believe they can do the same for you.
The Four Cups of Passover
In Jewish tradition, the Passover Seder is built around four cups of wine, each representing a different stage of God’s deliverance, as described in Exodus 6:6-7:
The Cup of Sanctification: “I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians.”
The Cup of Deliverance: “I will deliver you from slavery to them.”
The Cup of Redemption: “I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with great acts of judgment.”
The Cup of Praise: “I will take you to be my people, and I will be your God.”
When Jesus gathered with His disciples for the Last Supper (Luke 22:14-20), He followed this sacred tradition—but with a striking difference. He took the bread and called it His body. He took the cup and called it the “new covenant in my blood.” Yet, something is missing. The meal doesn’t seem to end properly. Instead of completing the Passover with the final cup, Jesus and the disciples sing a hymn and leave for the Garden of Gethsemane (Matthew 26:30).
So, where is the fourth cup?
The Fourth Cup on the Cross: “It Is Finished”
Fast forward to Calvary. After hours of unimaginable suffering, Jesus whispers, “I thirst” (John 19:28). A soldier lifts a sponge soaked in wine (likely sour wine or vinegar) to His lips. Then, He speaks His final words: “It is finished.” And He dies (John 19:30).
This moment is more than just the end of His earthly life. It’s the completion of the Passover. That final sip of wine is the fourth cup—the Cup of Praise—bringing the meal He began at the Last Supper to its fulfillment.
As Dr. Scott Hahn explains in The Fourth Cup, this act ties together the Old and New Covenants in a way that changes everything. Jesus, the true Passover Lamb, is both the sacrifice and the High Priest. By drinking the fourth cup on the Cross, He completes the Passover—not in the Temple, as tradition dictated, but on the altar of the Cross, where He offers Himself for the salvation of the world.
Dr. Pitre’s research further deepens this connection. The Passover lamb had always been at the heart of Jewish tradition. Jesus, as the Lamb of God, doesn’t just participate in that tradition—He fulfills and transforms it. What had been a ritual meal for generations becomes, in Him, the very reality of redemption.
The Eucharist: Our Participation in the Fulfilled Passover
Understanding this changes the way we experience the Mass:
When the priest speaks the words of consecration—“This is my body… this is my blood”—we’re not just remembering something that happened long ago. The very sacrifice that concluded with the fourth cup on the Cross is made present to us.
When we hear, “Behold the Lamb of God,” we’re standing in the presence of the same Jesus who gave Himself as the true Passover Lamb.
When we respond with “Amen” before receiving Communion, we’re not just agreeing to a statement—we’re accepting an invitation to take part in the new and eternal covenant sealed by Christ.
A Personal Reflection
For years, I saw the Last Supper and the Crucifixion as two separate events—one a meal, the other a sacrifice. But now I realize they are one continuous act of love. The Eucharist isn’t just a memorial of what Jesus did; it’s an invitation to step into the heart of His redeeming work.
When I stand in line for Communion, I’m no longer just participating in a ritual. I’m partaking in the fulfillment of the Passover, the Lamb’s sacrifice, and the covenant that bridges heaven and earth. That simple “Amen” I say? It carries the weight of a divine promise.
Conclusion
When we look at Jesus’ words at the Last Supper and on the Cross through the lens of Jewish tradition, we begin to see how beautifully they intertwine. The Old Covenant reaches its fulfillment in the New. The Passover meal finds its completion in Christ. The Eucharist isn’t just a symbol—it’s the reality of God’s promise alive and present today.
If this resonates with you, I encourage you to read Jesus and the Jewish Roots of the Eucharist by Dr. Brandt Pitre and The Fourth Cup by Dr. Scott Hahn. They helped me see the Eucharist in a whole new light, and I pray they do the same for you.
References:
Hahn, Scott. The Fourth Cup: Unveiling the Mystery of the Last Supper and the Cross. Image Books, 2018.
Pitre, Brant. Jesus and the Jewish Roots of the Eucharist: Unlocking the Secrets of the Last Supper. Image Books, 2011.
This is very moving. Beautifully thought out and moving.