We all know the old chicken joke about why he crossed the road, but do we
realize that bridges are really the reason we get to the other side. I am
fascinated by bridges, and also their building. Great technology, skill, and
patience goes into the design and construction of them, and we have travelled
many miles out of way just to cross one. Some are famous like the George
Washington Bridge, I went over it years before Martha was built underneath,
making it a two level bridge. George on top. Prompting many a joke. The
Tappan Zee Bridge which I read lately is falling apart, how many times have I
crossed that escaping from Jersey via New York on my way to Connecticut? The
Verranzano Narrows Bridge to Long Island, referred locally as “The Guinea
Gangplank,” and that is but of a few in the New York Metro area. My first time
across the Royal Gorge in Colorado with Theresa I rode across, she walked. In
case it fell. Been over the Golden Gate too many times, sometimes visible,
sometimes mired in fog. All on the same crossing. On trips to my grandparents
we used to go over the new bridge, but when I could drive it was the old bridge
in Easton, washed away in 1955 by Hurricane Diane, now referred to as the Free
Bridge. Something about the age and history...One day riding on Highway 61 from
Mississippi to St. Louis we crossed over it 7 times, sadly such bridges such as
the Chain of Rocks Bridge are gone.
Ever ridden to the Florida Keys? I forget how many bridges you cross,
locally in Miami they refer to them as causeways. Like bridges and tunnels,
then the Chesapeake Bay Bridge is the only way to go to get to Delmarva from
Virginia Beach. 17 miles over the Bay, and under it. Riding along you suddenly
disappear under the water...cool sensation. But what’s Delmarva? The peninsula
of Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia...the bridge to it the main attraction. One
of my favorite is the Astoria Bridge in Astoria, Oregon to Long Beach,
Washington. A great bridge really high so the ships can pass under, then long
after for the river it crosses is very wide. And free, so we have ridden back
and forth over it many times, and the view...WOW! While further east the Bridge
of the Gods is a two lane bridge over the same river, steel grated, not much fun
on a motorcycle, and last time we followed a semi, which made the bridge shake
each time he edged forward, as we looked down 100 feet. So many bridges, so
little time, but my favorite, for its length, height, and scare factor is the
Mackinac Bridge in Michigan, uniting the Upper Peninsula with the glove part of
the state. I have ridden over it both ways, and it was scary enough the first
time that I vowed to never cross it again. Windy, rainy, and cold that day,
reaching St. Ignace the town had closed down the weekend before for the
winter-it was still September. The bridge was celebrating its 50th birthday,
been there, done that, still have the shirt. And the Yupper is a ride all its
own. But with lanes paved and grated, the second time with Theresa the paved
lane was closed, and the grate wet and slippery, a five mile prayer just to get
over it. With some sections under repair, just 5 feet from going into the lake
if the wind caught you...
But the story of the men who built it, under budget and ahead of schedule
is another story. The pictures make my knees weak as you see men on girders 100
feet above the lake, no safety tethers. The men who designed it fascinate me,
as they were able to take a dream, put it on paper, and make it real. Just some
stats on this 5 mile wonder, height of the main towers over the water 552
feet-over 50 stories tall! 42,000 miles of suspension cables. Total weight of
bridge, 1,024,500 tons! 4,851,700 rivets! Any way you look a it that is a lot
of bridge. A must see and must cross over, at least once in your riding
career.
But what did this majestic bridge replace? A ferry, which in busy season
could present you with an up to 19 hour wait! Just to get to the other side.
Which is where we find our friends the apostles when they encounter Jesus,
walking on the water in the early morning hours. Why was Jesus walking on the
water? To get to the other side, just as he told them he would meet them. Many
concentrate on Peter also walking on it, in faith they say, but it was really
obedience. Jesus told him come and he did. “If that is you” Peter had asked.
And of course how Jesus rescued him when he fell. But we see here a new side to
the relationship after Peter is rescued. Up until that time Peter knew him as
rabbi, teacher, had seen him feed 5000, heal the lame and blind. He had seen
the miracles of Christ, but had never experienced the miracle of salvation, the
reason Jesus had come to earth, to save us. Note Peter had travelled with him
and was close to him, but on this day was so close that when he fell in fear, he
yelled “Jesus save me!” Jesus was so close he reached out and saved him...and
they were instantly on the other side. Just as he had said. Literally and
spiritually Peter was saved that day, and now knew Jesus as his savior. And had
crossed over to the other side, from death to life, from hell to heaven. How
many today will accept Jesus as a philosopher, religious figure, teacher, and
even profit? But he is really Lord and savior, and is reaching out to save us.
How many of us when faced with drowning in our sin called out to Jesus to “save
me!” To rescue me form my situation? to get me to the other side? But as we
find, in the midst of the storm, there was Jesus, and he is in the midst of our
storm today. Not to take us around it, but to take us through it, to arrive at
the other side. Just as he says. And he is the only way to the other side, to
heaven,and being reunited with God. I the storm you are in right now, will you
call out to him to be saved? No one else but Jesus saves. No other god, holy
man, religion, philosophy, lifestyle, or denomination can save you. Only
Jesus.
Like a bridge, he is the way to the other side. Get to know him today as
Peter did as savior. You may have seen miracles, or even been one. But only
when asking Jesus to save you will you bridge the gap of sin and arrive on the
other side. Peter spent years with Jesus, it took a storm at 3 in the morning
when he was afraid to call out to Jesus. It wasn’t faith that made him walk on
the water, it was obedience when Jesus told him to come. He recognized Jesus at
that point and went to him in obedience. Which follows faith, which leads to
trust. Are you so close you can see him, but still not know him as Lord? Do
you pray aimlessly without knowing him? Are you assured of getting to the other
side when you die? Peter did, and is. But it took meeting Jesus face to face
to be saved. His outstretched hand is extended to you today, will you reach out
ad grab hold of it? Or are you still in the boat shaking and scared?
Jesus told them he would meet them on the other side. Peter found out
exactly what Jesus meant that night when he was saved. The others were
instantly there too, but without the heart experience Peter had. That would
come later. Personally to each one. So maybe my fascination with bridges
reminds me of Jesus. And being saved. I have no desire to walk on the water
when I can ride over it. One storm over the Mackinac will do that to you. I
never thought of it as a place of prayer, but thousands cross it everyday hoping
to get to the other side. Peter knew, I know. Even the chicken knew. You
cross over to get to the other side. And you thought it was a story about
faith...
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com