Draw Near – 365 Guides to Greater Intimacy with GodSample

SYMBOLS Americans are intrigued by symbols. The city of Phoenix, for example, gets its name from the ancient symbol of resurrection--the mythical Phoenix bird. City fathers felt this legend expressed the city's rise from the burning desert. The olive branch has always symbolized peace; a palm, victory; an anchor, faith and hope; a peacock, immortality. In the early church, the fish symbolized Christian faith because the five letters of the Greek word fish formed an acrostic meaning "Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior." In the New Testament, four things symbolize eternal truths: the manger, the cross, the empty tomb, and the trumpet. They burn the truths deeply into our minds. The manger symbolizes God's eternal love for man in giving His only begotten Son; the cross, man's release from sin through the blood of Christ shed in His sacrificial death; the empty tomb, God's eternal existence; and the trumpet, Jesus' return for those who await His appearing. Our hearts are stirred when we think of these symbols of our Savior. The manger is present in all contemporary nativity scenes, and crosses are worn as necklaces, charm bracelets, and key chains. Unfortunately, the empty tomb and the trumpet are not as prominent. These symbols are most meaningful to believers, however. Someday, Jesus will come back so we can live with Him forever. All the world is waiting for that redemption.