As we’re learning, there are many patterns in the Word of God. Sometimes when we investigate a seemingly unrelated stories, though hundreds or even thousands of years may separate them, they share a pattern of a greater meaning. For this study we’re going to look at another couple of events from the Word that share a unique pattern and hold some hidden gems that bring more light to the power of the Holy Word.
Here we see some portraits portraying a couple of completely different events along with a similarity, bread, and wine. First, obviously we have bread and wine. This is the similarity that brings these two events together. The pattern if you will, that allows us to see the two events, though so far apart in the timeline, yet they share the same pattern. Second, we have a picture of Joseph in prison with the Chief Butler and the Chief Baker. This event is powerful in and of itself, but prayerfully, you will see it as much more. Third, we have Christ, hanging on the cross and the bread and wine at the foot of the cross. Let’s dig in...
Gen 40:8-12 And they said to him, “We each have had a dream, and there is no interpreter of it.” So, Joseph said to them, “Do not interpretations belong to God? Tell them to me, please.” 9 Then the chief butler told his dream to Joseph, and said to him, “Behold, in my dream a vine was before me, 10“and in the vine were three branches; it was as though it budded, its blossoms shot forth, and its clusters brought forth ripe grapes. 11“Then Pharaoh’s cup was in my hand; and I took the grapes and pressed them into Pharaoh’s cup and placed the cup in Pharaoh’s hand.” 12And Joseph said to him, “This is the interpretation of it: The three branches are three days
Here’s the back story- Joseph is in prison because he was falsely accused and sentenced. Along with him, is Pharoah’s Chief Butler who has committed a crime as well as Pharoah’s Chief Baker who is also guilty of a crime. Both Butler and Baker have a dream and don’t understand it. Joseph notices something is off with them on that particular morning and he begins to investigate. The Chief Butler shares with him his dream and Joseph begins to interpret... Notice the beginning of the interpretation is that the branches are 3 days, that will be important later. Now let’s jump forward for a minute to the Baker’s dream.
The Baker sees that the Butler got some good news, so he wants to know about his dream, so he shares it with Joseph and the interpretation is given...Before we look into the interpretations, notice again here that the baskets are 3 days...
This is the interpretation of the Chief Butler, who is the cupbearer. Again, the 3 days is mentioned, and the interpretation continues with great news for this Butler that is guilty of a crime. He is going to be redeemed and brought back to Pharoah’s side. Joseph then asks him, when you get there, remember me.... After hearing the good news given to the Butler, the Baker says, “Man i wanna know what good news you get from my dream.” Let’s find out how that went…
His news isn’t very good. There’s that "3 days" thing again... what can this possibly be related to? So, how does this story, the 3 days, the butler, the baker, the dreams and the interpretations create a pattern?
Right here in this picture, you have two men that are guilty of their crimes and in the middle, a man that was sold by his own and is being unjustly punished. To one side you have a man (Bread/Baker) and to the other side, another man (cupbearer/ wine) To one side, one (the bread) would die, to the other, one (the wine) would live with Christ... REMEMBER ME.... Joseph asked this the first time, but he was forgotten, The Thief asked this time and was remembered.... That brings us to our next Scripture in the pattern.
In these verses we learn about the significance of Communion. The bread symbolizes the broken body of Christ. Just like the Baker’s dream, the bread represents death. The wine symbolizes the shed blood of Christ, and just like the Cupbearer’s dream, the wine represents life. Now for one last piece to the Profound Pattern of Bread and Wine…
This is the first time in Scripture where Bread and Wine appear together. This Melchizedek is a very interesting figure. Christ’s priesthood is from the “Order of Melchizedek”, (Hebrews 6:20), and the Bible says He has no beginning and no end, (Hebrews 7:3). Is it just coincidence that He brought out bread and wine? Follow the Profound Pattern to find out. Amen.