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SearchParables Used to Gain Spiritual Liberty
In instituting this remembrance supper, the Master, as was always his habit, resorted to parables
and symbols. He employed symbols because he wanted to teach certain great spiritual truths in
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such a manner as to make it difficult for his successors to attach precise interpretations and
definite meanings to his words. In this way he sought to prevent successive generations from
crystallizing his teaching and binding down his spiritual meanings by the dead chains of tradition
and dogma. In the establishment of the only ceremony or sacrament associated with his whole
life mission, Jesus took great pains to suggest his meanings rather than to commit himself to
precise definitions. He did not wish to destroy the individual's concept of divine communion by
establishing a precise form; neither did he desire to limit the believer's spiritual imagination by
formally cramping it. He rather sought to set man's reborn soul free upon the joyous wings of a
new and living spiritual liberty.
After they had engaged in meditation for a few moments, Jesus continued speaking: "When you
do these things, recall the life I have lived on earth among you and rejoice that I am to continue
to live on earth with you and to serve through you. As individuals, contend not among yourselves
as to who shall be greatest. Be you all as brethren. And when the kingdom grows to embrace
large groups of believers, likewise should you refrain from contending for greatness or seeking
preferment between such groups."
And this mighty occasion took place in the upper chamber of a friend. There was nothing of
sacred form or of ceremonial consecration about either the supper or the building.
When Jesus had thus established the supper of the remembrance, he said to the apostles: "And as
often as you do this, do it in remembrance of me. And when you do remember me, first look
back upon my life in the flesh, recall that I was once with you, and then, by faith, discern that
you shall all some time sup with me in the Father's eternal kingdom. This is the new Passover
which I leave with you, even the memory of my bestowal life, the word of eternal truth; and of
my love for you, the outpouring of my Spirit of Truth upon all flesh."
And they ended this celebration of the old but bloodless Passover in connection with the
inauguration of the new supper of the remembrance, by singing, all together, the one hundred
and eighteenth Psalm.