The Meaning of Bridges

In the beautiful historic town of Owego, there is a lovely bridge that crosses the Susquehanna. It is a distinctive bridge, with graceful arches along the supports, and iron lampposts along the entire breadth. As one crosses the river towards Owego, the bridge points right to the majestic red brick court house. The town stretches out on either side of that center of justice.

Bridges are a wonderful symbol. Bridges connect two things that cannot otherwise reach each other. Without the Owego bridge, the beautiful little city would be inaccessible by all of us on the other side of the river. This is a perfect picture of the chasm between God and man. We can try all we want to reach God through our imperfect lives and actions, but the Bible tells us we will never succeed. The only thing that can bridge the gap between a holy God and unholy man is Jesus.

The Owego Bridge is even more ideal for my analogy in that it dumps the person crossing right at the place of judgment, the Court House, where verdicts are regularly declared: "Guilty" or "Not Guilty."

When our relationship to God is bridged by Jesus, we come to the place of judgment, but are declared "not guilty." God sees our penalty was paid by Jesus, and the punishment we deserve for our sins instead falls on Him. We are set free. I love bridges...don't you?

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1 Timothy 2:5 

For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,

Proverbs 21:15 

When justice is done, it is a joy to the righteous but terror to evildoers.

Amos 5:24 

But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.

Romans 12:19

Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.”

Isaiah 30:18 

Therefore the Lord waits to be gracious to you, and therefore he exalts himself to show mercy to you. For the Lord is a God of justice; blessed are all those who wait for him.

Micah 6:8 

He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?

Psalm 37:27-29 

Turn away from evil and do good; so shall you dwell forever. For the Lord loves justice; he will not forsake his saints. They are preserved forever, but the children of the wicked shall be cut off. The righteous shall inherit the land and dwell upon it forever.