Friday Devotional 4-10-09

Title: Bridge Over Troubling Fires
Contributor: Jess Reyes - www.frccommunity.com

John 3:16 - For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Easter season is recognized each year in many ways by various parts of our population. Important to most are the days Good Friday, the day recognized when Christ died on the cross; and Easter Sunday, the day recognized when Christ rose from the dead. But we hear little about Easter Saturday, the day in the middle. Easter Saturday is the day recognized when Christ’s body laid in the grave.

The Bible tells us something about what was going on outside Christ’s grave that Saturday, but it says little about what was happening to Christ while He was inside the grave. Some call Easter Saturday the Great Sabbath, because they say Christ rested in the grave that day. Others believe Christ’s spirit descended into hell that day; it’s even stated in the “Apostles’ Creed” that way. Most would agree, Easter Saturday was a very, very sad day and perhaps the worst day of all time! That Saturday, Christ was caught in the middle; having died for mankind’s sin on Friday but not yet reaching God’s heavenly hands on the other side on Sunday. He paid a price for mankind’s sin on Friday, but this was only the admission fee for the Saturday main event. In a way on Saturday Christ died many times over again in the worst ways and with each deadly blow He build a bridge across the fires of hell to God’s heaven for us.

The saddest part about mankind is that masses of people did not, have not and will not find the ‘Christ Bridge’ built that Saturday to heaven for them. Our job as Christians is to help those around us find the Christ Bridge. Also sad is that many Christians find the Christ Bridge but will not cross it in true faith. The distractions of life create a fog around them that inhibits the journey.

But the few that do see the Christ Bridge and stay focused on it will arrive to it in God’s time and will run across it to God’s outreached heavenly hands on the other side. Once there, family and friends that have made the journey before them will greet them; and they will celebrate for eternity.

How is your journey going? Are you walking alone? Or are you inviting others to join you in your walk to the Christ Bridge? It is never too late to find some friends to journey with you. Find a friend this weekend and help them make the first step!

“Up from the grave he arose;
With a mighty triumph o’er his foes;
He arose a victor from the dark domain,
And he lives forever, with his saints to reign.
He arose! He arose! Hallelujah! Christ arose!!”

Lyrics by Mark Lowry