The Jewish Passover was an ancient institution of a domestic and social character, and of religious and patriotic origin and intent. From the usages of this institution we do not find that Jesus made any deviation. He simply observed the ancient ceremony; and in his observance of it there was nothing peculiar, except such discourse as was the natural product of his individual character. He therefore made no institution to supercede that ancient ceremony. The sacrament, or ordinance of the Lord's supper, as observed in the Christian Church, is compounded of misapprehension and priestly invention.
Jesus said: "Do this in remembrance of Me." Do what? Eat and drink. Enjoy your social meal, and eat your passover lamb; and when you are thus engaged, remember Me. Let the memory of my life and teachings be mingled with your social joys and your religious exercises. That is all. It is more than an ordinance, or a ritualistic ceremony. It is the expression of life. It is the infusion of Principle, and the injunction of perpetual and constant religious feeling and gratefulness, in all their wonted forms of sacred and patriotic activities.
This view of the case is justified by all the history of the Acts of the Apostles. The early Christians at first universally exemplified it. They broke bread from house to house, doing it in remembrance of Christ. It was in no wise a Church action, as such. It was purely a social and domestic action, by happy, grateful disciples of Christ. It was a daily transaction at their homes. Hence, when they acquired places of public worship, they had a daily meal together there, at which they always commemorated the name of Christ.
