One of the notable things about Jesus in the Gospels is that He was always bridging the divide between people and God. A desperate handicapped person. A man tormented by demons. Those who were desperate and isolated with leprosy. A woman who needed living water. A mother who had lost her child.
Jesus had one goal for His time on the earth. He wanted to reconnect us with His Father. Because we are His sheep made in His image, and have run away from our Shepherd, Jesus came to bring us safely home to God. A clever story? A fairytale? What possible personal purpose could Jesus have had to give Himself? To be revered? To become King of a world over which He had already been given authority? To become founder of a new religion?
Jesus was clear about His journey. He would build bridges, but He would need to die in order to complete His work. For us to come safely home to God, death needed to be dealt a comprehensive blow. And this is just what He did. When He raised from the dead He conquered the power of death. Period.
Acts 2.22-24
“Men of Israel, listen to these words: Jesus the Nazarene, a man attested to you by God with miracles and wonders and signs which God performed through Him in your midst, just as you yourselves know – this Man, delivered over by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God, you nailed to a cross by the hands of godless men and put Him to death.
“But God raised Him up again, putting an end to the agony of death, since it was impossible for Him to be held in its power.”
What an awesome Guy!
Bridge Builder
Power over Death/1 Corinthians 15
A Good Bridge Song