How sturdy are the bridges we cross from one place to another? Manmade bridges require constant repair and still many of them fall. The only totally reliable bridge is the one taken with Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
Eternal Perspectives by Sally Bair
Bridges
On a British Columbia hiking trail, my husband and I encountered a half-wrecked, wooden bridge damaged by floodwaters below. It tilted at a precarious angle with one railing having been destroyed. As I crossed, I clung to the remaining, damaged rail. At one especially dangerous point, I crawled on my hands and knees, trying to focus on the destination rather than the raging river below. Such a fearful crossing I’ll never forget.
Not all bridges are as rickety and undependable as the one we crossed. Others are sturdy, the kind we can cross with confidence. Scripture tells about a safe bridge we can all cross. The word bridge lends itself to Jesus’ words in John 14:6. “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
We can interpret John’s words to mean that Jesus is the bridge we need to cross over the chasm of our sin that separates us from God. We were born in sin, we carry it in our mortal bodies and we will die in it unless we cross that chasm. Perhaps we should visualize Jesus hanging on the cross, with arms outstretched reaching from one side of the chasm to the other, making the way—the only way—for us to toward His Father safely.
We may find it easy to skirt the sin issue by doing good deeds or assuming we’re “good enough” to enter God’s kingdom. We may be tempted by other bridges of belief or decide to avoid His bridge altogether, content to remain in our sinful state forever. Perhaps the bridge God offers seems too scary, too uncomfortable, or unnecessary. But God through His Word draws us to His way with many rich promises. Among them are indescribable peace and joy in knowing His forgiveness and the assurance of eternal life with Him.
God calls us to fellowship with Him by asking us to believe in His Son, Jesus, who paid the ultimate price for our sins. His bridge is sturdy and trustworthy, nothing like the rickety one my husband and I crossed in British Columbia.
Lord, thank You for making a way for us, the only way to righteousness, peace, and joy. Cause us to avoid crossing the tempting, rickety bridges that might cause us to slip into the angry waters of sin. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Comments