By: Denny

In my previous post “Feelin’ Groovy”, I referenced a song by Simon and Garfunkel from 1966. Oddly the official title is “The 59^th Street Bridge Song”. They must have been inspired by bridges because their biggest hit was “Bridge Over Troubled Waters”. Sadly, and ironically, that was the last song they recorded together due to a falling out between them. They each had different desires and ideas that became “troubled waters” which led to the duo breaking up. From schooldays they had been friends, but now they weren’t even speaking to each other. You can research the details for yourself online like I did. Pride and control were the root problems. I don’t have a degree in psychology, but just looking at the cover of their last album speaks for itself. It amazed me that what was and could’ve been an even more successful singing duo crumbled because they failed to work out their differences. They both thought the other one should compromise, apologize, and give in. When communication stopped the divide and distance between them became even greater. Giving someone the “silent treatment” is immature and never works in bringing healing, reconciliation, and restoration to a broken relationship. That’s like drinking poison yourself and thinking the other person will get sick or die. In an interview Paul Simon once said concerning Art Garfunkel, “I’ll never forgive him.”  The bridge over their own troubled waters had totally collapsed. In my opinion and experience, the parties in any conflict who harbor unforgiveness tend to become bitter.

I hate to sound redundant, but in my years of trucking I’ve crossed a lot of bridges. Some were famous such as the Golden Gate or the Mackinac Bridge, which is the longest suspension bridge. The bridge over Lake Pontchatrain between New Orleans and Slidell, LA. is 15 miles long. The Causeway Bridge is the longest in the U.S. at 23 miles. Several years ago, a bridge in Minneapolis collapsed, and I had just crossed it the day before. I think we often take bridges for granted assuming they will always be there. Nevertheless, every bridge small or great serves the same purpose to provide a route over a body of water, another road, or any other area or space that would otherwise be impossible to cross.

I couldn’t find the word “bridge” in the Bible, but the concept and inference certainly are evident. In Luke 16:19-31, Jesus told a story about a rich man and a diseased beggar named Lazarus to illustrate a point. The rich man lived in luxury and had everything he wanted. Lazarus was laid at the gate longing to get just a few scraps from the rich man’s table, and the dogs would come and lick his sores. Finally, both men died. The angels escorted Lazarus to Heaven, but the rich man found himself in Hell being tormented and in anguish. In the distance he saw Lazarus standing next to Abraham and begged him to let Lazarus just dip his finger in water to come and cool his tongue. Abraham reminded him that during his lifetime he had everything he wanted, and Lazarus had nothing. Now, having riches alone didn’t cause the man to end up in Hell. It was his greed; lack of compassion and that money and possessions had become his god. On the other hand, Lazarus didn’t get to Heaven based solely on suffering his disease and poverty. The fact that Lazarus appeared along side Abraham, whom the Bible calls the father of faith, indicates he believed and trusted God. Jesus set up this scenario to reveal a deeper truth, as He often did in His parables. In answer to the rich man’s request Abraham says, “There is a great fixed chasm between us so that it is impossible for us to come to you or you to cross over to us.” In other words, there wasn’t a bridge. The rich man then tries to persuade Abraham to send Lazarus back from the dead to go and warn his five brothers, so they won’t end up in Hell like him. Abraham replies, “No, because even if someone returns from the dead they won’t believe, besides they can read the Word of God anytime they want to for themselves and turn from their sins.” Jesus said He is the only way we gain access to God and eternal life. He referred to Himself in terms people could relate to such as: The door, the gate, the vine, the true shepherd, the light, the bread, the cornerstone, the rock, the way, and many others. He is also the bridge.

I think I’ll preach now. We all were born with a sin nature due to the disobedience and fall of Adam and Eve. Because He is holy, sin cannot approach or exist in His presence, so God removed them from the Garden of Eden.  Sin caused a great chasm which separated everyone past, present, and future from God. Mankind was doomed without hope and lost forever, but God had a plan to save us. He sent His only son Jesus who was sinless to die on the cross in our place. He paid our debt and bridged the gap between God and man. The Bible says Jesus reconciled us to God by His sacrifice and made the way for our sins to be forgiven. Here’s the deal; it’s up to every individual to decide to cross the bridge while you’re still alive. It’s as simple as asking God, right now today, for forgiveness of your sins by accepting Christ as your savior by faith and receiving eternal life. Someday Jesus will return, or you will die first. Either way, the bridge and opportunity to cross will be gone forever. Jesus died so we can have our sins forgiven, and He clearly expects us to also forgive others. To hold onto a grudge and unforgiveness is to put your eternal destiny at stake. Matthew 6:14 says if we don’t forgive others, God won’t forgive us.

There is a scene from the Indiana Jones movie, “The Last Crusade” that I really like. He is on a quest to find the so-called Holy Grail, which is supposedly the cup Jesus used at the Last Supper with His disciples. Indiana is guided by a book showing the way. Finally, he comes to a deep chasm and must cross to the other side, but there is no bridge. The book says he must take a step of faith. Reluctantly he steps into mid-air and the bridge appears and he can cross over. I think the analogy is easy to understand without much explanation. You may have some situations in your life right now that seem impossible to cross. Truly Jesus is that “Bridge Over Troubled Waters” to get you to the other side. He has already made a way where there seems to be no way. All you need to do is read the book and do what it says.

“Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” John 20:29