A Living Bridge
Lawrence G. Green's writing about the Springbok migrations in the early days of South Africa ended up teaching me some valuable spiritual lessons. Listen to what he writes: "I once met a man who kept a store on the banks of the Orange River late last century (that's the late 1800s). He saw springbok form a living bridge over the river as they raced towards the Kalahari - 'to reach better pastures', so he said. Many perished so that the main body might cross with dry hooves on their backs."
What a beautiful picture of self-sacrifice! Remember when Jesus said "Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends"? (John 15:13) Forming a living bridge, so that some may pass over to life, even if it means you die - well that is the ultimate sacrifice and selfless love of which Jesus is speaking.
The Greatest Sacrifice
Yet how many humans are willing to do this? Am I willing to do this? I asked myself as I read that story. Is my life a laying down of my own things so that others may find life? Or do I practise self-protection at all costs?
Last week Charlie Kirk was killed. He was travelling his country sharing his faith and his dream for his nation. Not all agreed with him, and in the end he laid down his life, in a sense like a bridge, so that others could find truth.
Jesus, of course, is the one who ultimately laid down His life for His friends. He formed a bridge between His friends and God when He died on the cross - so that all people who believe in Him can be reconciled to the God they have insulted by their sin. A living bridge of springboks is one thing, but the Son of God dying on a cross to form a bridge back to God for His friends? That is another thing altogether. That is what makes Jesus worthy of our worship and our adoration and our love.
The Ultimate Bridge Builder
In fact I am reminded of an old Simon and Garfunkel song, which I'm sure many of you know. It says "like a bridge over troubled water, I will lay me down". That’s what Jesus did – laying himself down so that others may be saved.
This is why Christians so often sing about the cross of Jesus Christ with such passion. Whenever we sing of the cross, we are confronted with the reality of what Jesus did - how in that moment He, like those springbok, perished so that we can cross over to God. It is in this sense that He is our Saviour. Without Him, we will be judged and cast away from God, rightly so, because our sin is so great.
Do you know and trust the Living Bridge - Jesus Christ - as your Saviour? And are you willing to lay down your life, in some respect, that others may find life?
I pray so.
