Hebrews 7:19
“(for the law made nothing perfect), and a better hope is introduced, by which we draw near to God.”
Jesus came so we may have this rare and real nearness to God. Because of Jesus, our sins are forgiven, we’re washed clean, and we have this opportunity to walk closely with God.
Have you ever been on a hike? One of those long drawn out hikes where you’re sweating and tired, reaching for more water when you know another gulp will only add to the ache in your side. Everyone seems to be trucking along, fine and dandy, but you’re just spent; wiping your brow, holding back sighs of exhaustion, and smiling through all sorts of pain. Have you ever been there? I sure have.
Now, bear with me. Imagine you’re hiking and you come across a nice size river. You’re standing face to face with a raging rapid river and there’s no way around. You’re looking at an obstacle, no one can cross safely, but you clearly see the trail, in all its glory, on the other side. You see the birds chirping and the sun shining, but this rapid river is holding you back, it’s a mess of a hindrance and you can do nothing to stop it.
Me, a meer human, flawed and sinful, can’t cross the depth and intensity of my sin all on my own. I can’t push past my wrongdoings and get back on the road of righteousness all on my own. Our sin separates us from God. It keeps us far. It keeps us stuck and we slowly lose sight of that trail he has for us; we slowly begin putting all our focus on that foaming water being tossed by heavy flow and tumbling rocks. We sink into our sin.
But what if we had a bridge? What if in the midst of your long hard journey, you came across a river and the sight of it didn’t make you crumble. It was a mess, yes, but a bridge was built strong and sturdy for you to cross. The bridge was lovely, polished and clean. It was big enough to withstand any intensity the river may bring. It could stand through any storm and you were welcome to cross it, no strings attached.
Jesus is that bridge. He’s the bridge that allows for nearness with God. That bridge brought better hope. You don’t need to sink in the mess of your sin. You don’t need to cross a raging river all alone, hopeless and filled with the heavyweight of defeat. Jesus is our bridge. He died on the cross so that we may cross over the craziness and difficulty of life and connect, cling to, and be near to God.
Today, acknowledge where you’re at in your life. Focus on where you’re at in your journey. If life was a hike, how are you holding up? Are you on a path, clean and bright, communing with God and filled with his spirit? Are you trekking up a massive hill, tired and weary, looking for comfort, rest even? Are you standing knee-deep in the raging river of your transgressions, confused and worried, tired and sick of it? You can be near to God the Father, through Jesus, the son and there is such beauty in that, don’t miss out on the glory of taking steps over that bridge, a bridge built by the blood of Jesus Christ, our Lord and savior.