Wine figures prominently in the Jewish Passover, which begins April 15 this 12 months, and Christian Easter, two days later. The Last Supper was a Passover celebration, by which Jesus informed his disciples the wine they have been ingesting was his blood, given in sacrifice for them. Drinking wine brings redemption. Today’s Eucharist or Communion re-creates this second and its highly effective symbolism, whether or not with wine or grape juice. In the fashionable Passover Seder, grownup celebrants devour 4 cups of wine (“cup” not being a exact measure) to commemorate the redemption of the Israelites from slavery underneath the Egyptians. A fifth cup is poured however left unconsumed in hopes the prophet Elijah will pop by with news of the Messiah — hope for future redemption.