CHRISTIAN BRIDGES

 

How many different bridges did you cross today? This morning, I crossed two bridges over Raccoon Creek and the Ohio River to get here today. That does not count the number of overpasses on the interstate.

We have dozens of bridges in Beaver County. We even have a town that is named after a bridge company. Did you know that Ambridge was renamed after the American Bridge Company?

I mention bridges because in our Gospel today (Mark 6:14-29), we hear about John the Baptist. He is a bridge between the Old Testament and the New Testament. He is the one who connects what was said about Jesus by Moses and the Prophets to the people of Jesus’ time.

John the Baptist was in the wilderness preaching to people to turn from their sins and be baptized so that they could be ready to meet the Messiah, Jesus.

John also baptized Jesus. That was important because Jesus’ baptism made him one of us. He didn’t sin, but He wanted people to know that He was with us and one of us.

Have you ever thought that you could be a bridge? I don’t mean that cars or people are going to cross over you. I mean that you can introduce people to Jesus just like John the Baptist did. You can be a person who connects Jesus to people looking for Him. That would be a wonderful way to show how much you love Jesus.

With that, let us pray. Heavenly Father, from whom all fatherhood in heaven and earth is named: Bless these and all children, and give their parents the spirit of wisdom and love, so that the homes in which they grow up may be to them an image of Your Kingdom, and the care of their parents a likeness of Your love. We pray in the Name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.