Dad's Wedding Band

"But sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence" (1 Peter 3:15)

Valentine's Day was very special for us this year, beloved, because I had the opportunity finally to give to my wife a new engagement ring, the one I wish that I could have given to her when first I proposed to her more than forty-six years ago. In getting the ring sized our jeweler-friend soldered three rings together: her wedding band, her new ring, and my mother's wedding band that my wife has worn since my sisters gave it to her following my mother's home-going. Seeing my mother's band reminded me that I now have my father's wedding band as well and what a treasure that is for me!

As I thought about the wedding bands of two such precious people, now both together with the Lord, I thought about the word "commitment." Having performed many wedding ceremonies over the years, I made it my custom to always hold up one of the wedding bands and show to those present how it is a complete circle. There is no stopping point! And that is the way that our love for and commitment to Jesus Christ is to be - unbroken, unending, unrelenting.

The Apostle Peter urged his readers to "sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts" and went on to challenge them to be "apologists" - those who defend their faith in Christ by demonstrating and explaining the eternal assurance that we each as Christians have surging within our hearts because of the presence of the blessed Holy Spirit of God. That is the essence, then, of our commitment to Jesus Christ, our covenant with Him. It is as if when we received Him by faith as Savior and Lord that He put a ring of gold on our finger to let us know that ours would be an eternal covenant, a lasting relationship - unbroken, unending, unrelenting. And to that end our living for Him every day must be just as unrelenting and unbroken.

It is certainly appropriate, given the symbolism of wedding bands upon which we are focused here, that Scripture refers to Jesus as the Bridegroom and to us as believers His Bride, the church. If you are wearing a ring at this moment, beloved, look closely at it. Note how it has no end. It just goes on and on and on. That is the way that you and I are to be living for Jesus Christ today! Are we?

You'll have to excuse me. I think I will go take another look at my dad's wedding band. Not only was he a great father, but he was also one whose relationship with Jesus Christ was unbroken, unending, and unrelenting for all to see.

Ron