Symbolism

This water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a good conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 1 Peter 3:21 (NIV)
And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you. Luke 22:19-20 (NIV)

I usually don’t enjoy going to the grocery store. Buying for a bunch of picky eaters is not fun. Certain days and times of the week are worse than others for shopping because the stores are full of other shoppers. Lunchtime, the hour right after work and Saturday mornings are times I usually avoid. This week, I had errands to run on Saturday morning but I woke up late, left in a hurry, and by the time I got to the grocery store, I still was running behind. I had a list of items that I needed to get, grabbed a cart and started a run through the store. Fortunately, I knew where everything was located so made a beeline for those sections. As I hurried up one aisle and down the next, I noticed a strange thing happening. I kept running into the same three men. They were not together, so I never saw them in the same place, but each time, I passed one in the store, he smiled and spoke to me. They did not seem to be in a hurry, but had plenty of time to exchange pleasantries and once or twice each of them tried to engage me in conversation. I really didn’t pay much attention to them at first, but then, it started feeling weird to be so noticed. While they were not stalking me, it definitely appeared that one at a time, they were seeking me out. No matter what section of the store I was in, at least one of them was there. They were not in store uniforms and appeared to have all day to wander around the grocery store on a Saturday morning. Then, it struck me that I was not wearing my wedding band. In my haste to leave the house, I had not put on any jewelry. I don’t usually take my wedding and engagement rings off, but my hands were cold the night before and that makes my rings looser. It may sound prideful to say unless you realize that the men were all in their 60s, but I think that they may have thought I was single and were looking for more than groceries that day! My wedding ring is a symbol that I am not a free woman and the message I may have been giving was opposite of that. As soon as I got home, I put my rings back on. I will not make that mistake again. Even though I was not wearing my rings, I am still married. They are a symbol of my commitment to my husband. That is just like the symbols that Christ gave us of his death and resurrection. Baptism and taking of the Lord’s Supper do not make us Christians, but when we partake in them, they are symbols of our faith in Jesus Christ and reminders of His great sacrifice for us. My wedding ring shows I am married to my husband. Baptism and the Lord’s Supper reveal whose spiritual bride I am, as well.