By Peter Ramsay
1. There is a spiritual gap – a distance between ourselves and God.
The separating distance between New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island is 12.9 kilometers (8 miles). However, a far greater spiritual separation exists between us and God. People often say they feel a huge ‘disconnect’ from God. That’s because there is, by natural birth, a separation caused by sin. No one is exempt; no one can escape this personal reality. The Bible says: “Your iniquities have separated you from your God; and your sins have hidden His face from you…” (Isaiah 59:2). The consequences of this separation from God are eternal, for the Bible says, “it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment” (Hebrews 9:27).
2. Human efforts to span the distance will ultimately fail.
People try many things to span the gap between them and God. They try to build their own bridges to God but ultimately fail. Prayers, religion, and good works (with much sincerity) are the most common bridge-building strategies; but the Bible says that all such efforts are futile and doomed to fail. Kind deeds and good works with sincerity seem like legitimate human strategies to connect ourselves to God, but they end in spiritual disaster. The Bible says that “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death” Proverbs 14:12.
3. The price was high – but God values you so much, He was willing to pay the price.
The only way for the distance between the sinner and a Holy God to be spanned was undertaken by God Himself. He sent His Son to Planet Earth. The Lord Jesus was born to die. He came to pay the penalty of our sin – to bear the punishment our sins deserved. That’s the big story of the Bible. The story of the Cross. “For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the Just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God” (1 Peter 3:18). The price of God’s Bridge was not one billion dollars, but rather “the precious blood of Christ” (1 Peter 1:19). It took the death, burial, and resurrection of God’s Son to span that mighty gap.
4. The work is finished. Nothing remains for you to do.
On November 19, 1996, there was a big celebration. The last huge span was dropped into place and the bridge was finished. The connection from both sides was made. Before the Lord Jesus died on the cross, He cried, “It is finished” (John 19:30). He didn’t say He completed 75% of the work of salvation and you must complete the remaining 25% by your efforts (that’s what religion teaches). He said, “finished!” He completely finished the work to bring you to God. The Lord Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6)
5. Available to all, but it’s a personal matter.
The Confederation Bridge was finished and it is available to all – anyone who would like to come to PEI – can drive on the bridge to the Island. But it is a personal choice. The bridge is there – but only those who drive across it will benefit from it. By the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ – the only way to God has been opened up. But, only those who come to the Lord Jesus in faith, trusting Him as their personal Saviour – will benefit from the way He opened-up by His death on the Cross. They are the only ones who have their sins forgiven. They are the only ones who receive eternal life. They are the only ones who will be in Heaven. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).
Are you standing on the other side – looking for another way to God? You will never make it. Will you cross His bridge now? The Lord Jesus said in Matthew 11:28, “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”
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