There's something about bridges that stirs both wonder and fear in the human heart. These magnificent structures span impossible distances, connecting places that were once separated by vast chasms. Some of us love them; others avoid them at all costs, preferring the safety of staying where we are rather than trusting the journey across.
But what if the most important bridge you'll ever encounter isn't made of steel and concrete? What if it's a person?

The Great Divide
From the very moment sin entered the world, humanity has been separated from God. This is the central tragedy of human existence—the chasm between a holy God and fallen people. Throughout the Old Testament, we see God's long journey back to us, establishing mediators who would stand between His holiness and our brokenness.
Moses stood on the mountain between God's wrath and Israel's rebellion. The high priest entered the Holy of Holies once a year, bells on his robe and a rope around his ankle, carrying the blood of spotless animals to atone first for his own sins, then for the sins of the people. Everyone waited outside, hoping their representative would emerge alive as proof that God had accepted their offering.
These were temporary solutions to an eternal problem. Shadows pointing to something—someone—greater.

Jesus: The Perfect Bridge
Hebrews 4:14-16 presents us with breathtaking truth: "Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God's throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need."
Jesus stands forever as the perfect mediator, bringing heaven and earth together once and for all. He is the bridge that connects two places once separated by the valley of sin and death.
Unlike Moses, who pleaded for mercy, Jesus purchased it with His own blood. Unlike the earthly priests who offered the blood of animals, Jesus entered the heavenly sanctuary with His own blood. He didn't exit the Holy of Holies trembling—He rose triumphant. He didn't just go behind the curtain; He tore the veil open completely.

Why We Can Hold On
When life becomes overwhelming, when the waters of chaos threaten to pull us under, we're called to "hold firmly to the faith we profess." But why? What makes this faith worth clinging to when everything else seems to be falling apart?
First, because Jesus is our great high priest. He has ascended into heaven and now reigns at the right hand of God, interceding on our behalf. When you pray, you're not shouting into empty skies or whispering into the void. You're speaking to the One who reigns from heaven itself, actively interceding for you in this very moment.
Second, because He understands our struggles. Jesus doesn't sympathize with our weaknesses from a distance. He lived as we live, experienced temptation as we do, felt exhaustion, rejection, and tears. He knows what it means to be human. You don't have to pretend in His presence. You don't have to clean yourself up before coming to Him. He already knows your heart, and He meets you exactly where you are.
Third, because He invites us to come boldly. The throne of judgment has become a throne of grace. Because of Jesus' finished work, we can approach God with confidence—not arrogantly, but with the assurance that we are welcomed, heard, and loved.

Understanding Grace and Mercy
Here's a truth that should revolutionize how we approach God: Mercy is not receiving the judgment we deserve. Grace is receiving favor we don't deserve.
We deserved death—the wages of sin. But the gift of God is not just life, but eternal life in Christ Jesus. That's a complete reversal, a 180-degree turn from what we earned to what we've been freely given.
Because of Jesus' blood, we receive mercy for the past and grace for the present. We no longer have to stand at a distance, hoping we're good enough. Christ has already earned the right for us to draw near.

The Cost and Strength of This Bridge
Every strong bridge must have a solid foundation. If the bridge to God were built on human effort, it would collapse under the weight. But anchored in Christ—the Rock—it will stand forever.
The strongest bridges bear the weight of others. Jesus bore the weight of our sins, carrying every burden so we could freely cross over and know God as Father.
Building a bridge requires tremendous cost. Salvation cost Jesus everything. The bridge of grace wasn't cheap—it was built on the cross of Calvary. He thought you were worth it.
And while the bridge Christ built is finished and secure, it must be used to have value. Our fellowship with Him must be maintained through prayer, obedience, and faith. We're called to walk across it daily, trusting Him moment by moment.
Stop Swimming—Use the Bridge
Here's where many of us struggle: We see the bridge, acknowledge its existence, and then try to swim across the water anyway.
We look at our challenges and think, "I can handle this myself." We face heartache and believe we're strong enough to power through without surrendering to Christ. We wade into the waters of control, self-sufficiency, and independence, struggling under the weight of burdens we were never meant to carry alone.
All the while, the bridge stands ready. Jesus says, "I've already paid the price. I've paved the road. Stop struggling to swim when I've provided the way."

Holding Firmly When Life Gets Hard
Faith doesn't mean pretending everything is okay when it's not. It means refusing to let go of the One who already has you.
When you're weak, remember He is strong. When you're weary, remember He understands. When you're tempted to give up, remember He's already gone before you.
Life will bring storms—difficult diagnoses, financial pressures, broken relationships, wayward children, career upheavals, and seasons of profound loneliness. The call isn't to smile through the pain or pretend you have it all together. The call is to hold firmly to the faith you profess, to trust the bridge even when you can't see the other side.
The Invitation
The bridge is useless to the heart that never steps on it, to the person who chooses not to trust it.

Today, you're invited to trust the bridge. To stop swimming in your own strength and step onto the solid foundation of Christ. To come boldly—not timidly or fearfully—before the throne of grace, knowing you'll find mercy and help in your time of need.
Where do you feel distant from God? Where have you been swimming when He's calling you to use the bridge?

The grace of God is still available. The bridge still stands. And Jesus—your great high priest—is waiting to meet you there.