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Bridges......are for Crossing Over

Awhile back we visited my sister in Monaca, Pennsylvania, near Pittsburgh. There is an intriguing historic bridge across the Ohio River near the small downtown. Each year the name of the bridge is changed, depending on who won the football season (high school football is HUGE in that area of the country). So, you know who won the season by looking at the name plate on the bridge….either Rochester or Monaca. One or the other is the victor and gets the bridge named after their team. It can change each year.

This got me to thinking as I jogged across one morning. There is also a name on the intriguing HIStoric bridge to heaven, across the chasm of separation from God. For some people, the victor’s name may change based on who (or what religious system) seems to be winning the hour. Pluralism abounds, and “many passages to heaven” is a predominate philosophy.

I’m thankful today for the assurance found in the Bible that our salvation is not a gamble. HIS salvation is safe, His bridge is secure.....rooted in the One who said He IS the gate for the sheep (John 10). He alone bridges the distance to eternal life and abundant life in the present. HE IS the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6), and, by his own claim, no one comes to the Father but through HIM. The Name on salvation’s bridge is one that will never change, and what a deep sense of joy in crossing over from darkness to light, from death to new life in Him. IN CHRIST I am on the victor’s path.

Phil 2:9-11......."For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus EVERY KNEE WILL BOW, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."

Speaking of bridges, the Golden Gate Bridge in San Frnacisco is an amazing engineering accomplishment. It spans a deep sea and creates a beautiful scene from any angle. It is quite impressive.

Amazing and Intriguing and HIStoric is the saving bridge of God's provision in Jesus Christ.

Luke 16:22-31
"The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham's side. The rich man also died and was buried. In hell, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. So he called to him, 'Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.'
"But Abraham replied, 'Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony. And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed , so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us."

Blessed are those who see the separating chasm and realize the impossible distance between us and God due to the dark valley of sin. God is on the side of perfection, holiness, and righteousness. We were born in the dry and empty darkness of the other side.

Blessed are those who see the bridge that God has made for us in the cross of Jesus Christ.

John 5:24-25:
"I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life. ”