Bridge

A familiar gospel presentation has a chasm (two opposing cliffs) with a human figure on one side and God on the other side. The chasm is sin, every person's problem, impossible on one's own to leap across. As the presentation progresses, the chasm is spanned by a bridge drawn in the shape of a cross. This represents Jesus Christ and his death on the cross. In Christ, God himself provides the means to get across the chasm of sin and reach him.

The cross as bridge...

Looking forward to Good Friday, the cross is prominent in my mind. Yes, it is declared always: the cross is the symbol of love, a demonstration of the lengths to which God is willing to go to prove his love. It is the picture of Jesus nailed hand and foot to the crossbeams to pay for my sin. But the cross is also a bridge. It is what closes the gap between earth and heaven. And one must go over the bridge in order to get to the other side.

The cross is not merely a symbol. It is not simply Jesus identifying with our suffering, or sympathizing with our plight. Getting sick along with my child when he brings home a cold from school doesn't ameliorate his situation. Giving him the necessary care, comfort and medicine does. The cross is strong medicine. It is a bridge that must be crossed because it traverses the chasm of sin. This is repentance - agreeing with God that I am a sinner. It is a bridge that must be crossed because it brings me to God. This is faith - accepting that Christ is, in fact, my Saviour from sin, and consequently, Lord of life. The distance impossible for me to close is spanned by Christ. He leads me to God.

Looking forward to Good Friday, the cross is prominent in my mind. I will meditate, sing, and worship because it is a symbol of love. It is a symbol that Christ is here with me and for me. But it is much more than just a symbol. It is a bridge. Cross it.