Bridges

Bridges have long been a part of our lives. The oldest datable bridge in the world still in use is the slab-stone single-arch bridge over the river Meles in Izmir (formerly Smyrna), Turkey, which dates from 850 BC. Remnants of Mycenaean bridges dated c. 1600 BC exist in the neighborhood of Mycenae, Greece over the River Havos. Bridges have made it possible for us to cross over water, over a deep valley, and over rough terrain. We can walk over them or we can drive over them. There are even bridges for trains.

I have gone over my share of bridges. Growing up in Michigan, I went over the Mighty Mackinac bridge a number of times. It is the fifth longest suspension bridge in the world. I have been on the Overseas Highway, a series of 42 bridges that takes you from Miami to Key West. I have even been on what I call “The Brunnel”. That is the bridge-tunnel that goes over and under the Chesapeake Bay in Virginia. Most of these larger bridges we have to pay to go over. When you are in a motorhome towing a trailer, it can be a bit expensive to use a bridge. We have paid almost $40 before, just to go one way over a bridge.

There is a bridge that each of us can go over in which the fee has been paid by someone else. Now, that is the kind of bridge I like! This bridge’s name is Christ Jesus. When sin entered the world, so also did a great divide come between humans and God that could not be crossed. So, God sent his Son to the world as a human. He came and lived among us and led a sinless life.

In this way Christ was able to reconcile us to God. Christ became the bridge humans cross in order to reach God. Now just because it is free for us does not mean a price was not paid. It cost Jesus his life. But he paid it all. Paul says to us in 1 Timothy 2:5-6 “There is one God and one mediator between God and humanity, the human Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a payment to set all people free.”

What a wonderful gift! This bridge is for you and me and for all who believe in Jesus’ reconciling power through his resurrection.

 

 

Below is pictured a bridge somewhere on I-10 in Texas or Louisiana, the Might Mackinac in a distance, a walking bridge in downtown Greenville, SC, a train trestle, a suspension bridge in Chattanooga, TN, and a walking bridge in Gulf Shores, AL.