This is the story of Noah, a man who “found favor in the sight of the Lord” (Genesis 6:8, NRSV). Out of all the inhabitants of the earth, Noah and his family were the only ones that did right in the sight of the Lord. God was grieved that he had even created people. God decided to destroy by flood all humanity (and animals, creeping things, and birds – 6:7) with the exception of Noah and his family. God commanded Noah to build an ark, or huge ship, that would withstand the flood waters and protect Noah, his family, and all the living things within it. The image that we see throughout this text is water. 1 Peter 3:13-22 refers back to this text in speaking of Christian baptism.  There is a comparison of the sacramental waters of baptism and the waters that saved Noah and family. In baptism, we proclaim the life, suffering, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. We proclaim to have been saved by grace and our baptism is an outward sign of this salvation. Baptism in of itself does not save us, but if one has placed his or her trust in the atoning work of Christ, then the baptism has a salvific nature. So the water in the story of Noah and in Christian baptism both point to God’s redemptive work in humanity through the covenant relationship initiated by God in Christ Jesus. Grace and Peace, Pastor Bob