Risto Santala: The wine and its interpretations
The wine in Midrash Ruth is related to the sufferings in Isaiah 53. This leads us to the essence of Holy Communion. 1 Cor. 11:25-26 interprets the message of wine with the words of Jesus: "This cup is the new covenant in my blood - as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the LORD's death until he comes." Here we have the same eternal perspective as in Midrash Ruth. The Passover liturgy has four cups of wine. Every cup has its own name and symbolizes certain features in the Seder. Justin Martyr gave his instructions to the Holy Communion.