Most all of us have lived long enough to see and be aware of the damage flood waters can and do cause. Portions of roads washed away, bridges torn from their moorings, houses flooded, and sometimes moved from their foundations and seen floating down the river. Then when travel is absolutely necessary how blessed we are to be able to cross a flooded river on a bridge that is standing firm. We are very thankful for that bridge over troubled waters.
Life, yours and mine, is often full of “troubled waters.” What I want us to see and understand is Jesus is our bridge over all those difficult, disappointing, and frustrating times. He is our “bridge over troubled waters” because:
He is perfect in His character — v. 26. He is holy. He is harmless. He is undefiled. He is separate from sinners. Now tie in Hebrews 4:15: “For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.”
He is perfect in His position — v. 26e – He “…has become higher than the heavens.”
He is perfect in His sacrifice — v. 27. The high priest under the Law of Moses had to daily offer up sacrifices, first for his own sins and then for all the people. But Jesus did that “…once for all when He offered up Himself.” Note Hebrews 9:12 — “Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood, He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption.” And add to this, Hebrews 10:12: “…this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God.”
Let’s now go back and bring Hebrews 7:25 into this picture. In that verse we learn that Jesus, who is at the right hand of God, is able to save to the “uttermost” those who come to God through Him. To be saved to the “uttermost” is to be saved completely or forever. But note, we have to be willing to come to God through Him. It was Jesus who said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6).
Is you life plagued with “troubled waters?” If so, Jesus is the bridge over those “waters.” He proved that by going to the cross for all of us. And He yet lives to make intercession for us. What a Savior! Is he yours? If you would like to talk, give me a ring — 601-562-4226.
— Les Ferguson Sr.,
S. Huntington Church of Christ
