A Bridge to Heaven
Have you ever traveled to a country where you do not speak the native language? A couple years ago, I met up with my brother in Italy while he was studying abroad for the semester. During a stretch of days off, we loaded our backpacks and set off to Athens, Greece. We landed late at night with vague directions to find our lodging. I will never forget staring at a metro map as my brother joked, “It’s weird they speak in triangles!” We were matching Greek alphabet letters to our own map like some sort of treasure hunt. We improvised, made some wrong turns, and did our best to fit in amongst the locals. However, I am sure that despite our efforts, our American-ness seeped through. Greece was not our home.
Such is our time on earth. Mankind sojourns here, a foreign land where we adapt but do not belong.
Paul explains it this way: “But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables Him to bring everything under control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like His glorious body. Therefore, my brothers and sisters, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, dear friends” (Philippians 3:20-21, 4:1).
I have a distinct memory from middle school learning the Latin word pons, which is translated bridge. My mind devoured the “aha!” moment when our teacher talked us through the word pontifex, which translates simply as high priest. (To this day, I am a sucker for Latin roots and derivatives.) Christ is referred to as our great high priest, our pontifex, because He serves as our bridge to the heavenly throne of God. Hebrews 4:15 states, “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.” Paul tells us to stand firm in this fractured world because our high priest serves as our perfect, blameless intercessor.
The birth of a child, a painted sunset, and laughter with friends are mere shadows of heaven – things that pull us towards the home for which we were created. Our hope and our joy rest in the promise that the pain, uncertainty, and death, that fracture our reality, will one day be redeemed into glory. Citizens elsewhere, Christ is our bridge on our journey home.
By Bethany Taylor
Such is our time on earth. Mankind sojourns here, a foreign land where we adapt but do not belong.
Paul explains it this way: “But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables Him to bring everything under control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like His glorious body. Therefore, my brothers and sisters, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, dear friends” (Philippians 3:20-21, 4:1).
I have a distinct memory from middle school learning the Latin word pons, which is translated bridge. My mind devoured the “aha!” moment when our teacher talked us through the word pontifex, which translates simply as high priest. (To this day, I am a sucker for Latin roots and derivatives.) Christ is referred to as our great high priest, our pontifex, because He serves as our bridge to the heavenly throne of God. Hebrews 4:15 states, “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.” Paul tells us to stand firm in this fractured world because our high priest serves as our perfect, blameless intercessor.
The birth of a child, a painted sunset, and laughter with friends are mere shadows of heaven – things that pull us towards the home for which we were created. Our hope and our joy rest in the promise that the pain, uncertainty, and death, that fracture our reality, will one day be redeemed into glory. Citizens elsewhere, Christ is our bridge on our journey home.
By Bethany Taylor
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2021
January
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February
112 YearsJesus Is Followed - Beth's StoryJesus Is Followed - Bryce's StoryJesus Is Followed - Jeff's StoryJesus Is Followed - Lily's StoryJesus Is Followed - Sarah's StoryClean SlateTake. Your MatHe Ain't HeavyFind Another WayPick Up And GoIt's Not About This LifeMan's Rules & God's LawLord of the SabbathTo Do Good or HarmWithered-Hand FaithGrace and TruthLooking for the RootsThe Wandering PathA Powerful ForceFinally!Do You See Them?Is Your Faith Enough?Ebony and Ivory
March
The Price You Pay for Free GraceThe Most Important Question of AllThe Nature of Saving FaithThe Way Down is The Way UpThe Effect of Shame on SinnersLet's Memorize Scripture!Extra CreditA Mailbox FriendBeing a NoticerInterruptionsThe Other GuysName Above All NamesCelebrateFilled to OverflowingCliffhangerTwo Dead EndsThe FeastGod's GoodnessOne Great ParableA Tale for All SinnersTwo Prayers, One JustificationGrace and HumilityCome to JesusWhat To Do?What is Worship?The Stones Would Cry OutJoyful Noise
April
The Lifting of HandsWorship Your WayGod Is The WindThe Trap of Human WisdomThe Danger of ComplacencyThe Quest for Meaning Apart from GodThe Futility of Living for the MomentThe Illusion of Self-righteousnessHe Is Risen!Lightning BugsIf?Pure WorshipStanding in LineI Surrender...Releasing ControlReplacementsA Worthy SubstituteThe PursuitEqual or Lesser ValueDwellChrist The Solid RockThe Search for HopeThe Hope We HaveA Gentle AnswerThe Essential TruthWhoever, Wherever, Whenever
2020
March
I Am The Good Shepherd Shepherd LeadershipI Am the Good Shepherd that Keeps the GateShepherding the TeamI Am The Good Shepherd: A Note from a Thankful SheepTime OutFour DaysUp from the GraveResurrection LifeThe Shadow of DeathMore Than an Empty TombLet\'s Not Get DistractedThis Is No Time to Be TroubledJesus Christ Is The Way
April
Jesus Christ Is The TruthJesus Christ Is The LifeAn Inconvenient TruthPalm SundayI Am The VineJust Do ItI Am The DoorCuttingsThe StruggleGood FridayThe DoorAbundant GraceAbundant SalvationAbundant SecurityAbundant LifeThe Thank You NoteBreakthrough PrayerLetter to the ChurchA Time for Great ThingsPrayer for a BreakthroughThe Day of ChristAs Far As the Eye Can SeeLoosen the ChainsNothing to FearOn the Same SideWhat Are You Living For?
May
Stand Firm in One SpiritOur God of CertaintyWhy Desire Humility?The Joy of HumilityHumility in ActionThe Ultimate Example of HumilityThe Glory of HumilityThe Faith of a Mom and a GrandmotherKeep OnCelebrate Your DecisionLet Your Light ShineHow Are You Being Poured Out?Be an EncouragementManna from HeavenSafeguarding Your HeartThe Proper Way to BoastHaving Nothing to Offer GodChrist Is All I Want and NeedOn Knowing ChristNo Greater LoveBiblical ObedienceBiblical MaturityBack to ShoreEnemies of the CrossA Bridge to HeavenIt's About Time
June
A New Way of ThinkingThe Lord Is at HandWait to WorryReal PeaceRight ThinkingSuch a Time as ThisA Lesson from Homer SimpsonHesitationThe Power RangerPep TalkSea Billows RollDo You See Them as Gifts?The God QuestionA Hopeless JourneyThe Hope of GraceDon't Miss the PartyThe Joyful GodWho's Listening AnywayThe InheritanceWhat Do You See?Give Me, Give Me, Give MeTearful PrayersFaithfulnessGo and DoIt Seems GoodTrust the Creator
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August
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