Jesus – Our Bridge Over Troubled Waters

John 12:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.

The cousins had not spoken for almost forty years. A family feud half a lifetime ago had separated them. A disagreement over estates and inheritance had severed relationships between their parents and the children’s close friendship had been sadly, severed too. Years passed by like sand slowly seeping through an hour glass and they had become isolated from each other through distance and dissociation. What had gone wrong? The children were hardly old enough to know.

Yet there they stood huddled together at our father’s funeral. And with their parents, much older and frailer. They smiled and looked anxiously into our eyes, asking questions. Would we remember them? Would we want to begin again? Would we forgive and forget the hurts and hurtful words of the past?

Colossians 3:13  Forbearing one another and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.

I embraced them warmly, enthusiastically. They were welcomed home to the family. We laughed politely and recalled happy memories of childhood. And besides our cousins, stood our aunty and uncle, the instigators of an unpleasant and grievous quarrel. Not sure how they would be received, they searched for acceptance too. My sister reached out in love, saying, ‘how good it is to see you both again and thank you for coming to our father’s funeral.’ Jesus’ presence in our lives was the healing bridge over these troubled waters, allowing us to forgive these relatives and move ahead without any bitterness. Forty years of misunderstanding, grief and anger, dissolved in a few seconds. Incredible.

Jesus’ words came to my mind as we continued to reconnect with these long-lost relatives. Sometimes it takes the death of a loved one to bring forth the fruit of life in our lives. That is what my father’s death had done. For too many years, harsh words and actions had robbed two families of a most precious friendship, and yet in his death, what the enemy had used for his own good, had been won back. New life had come. Strange how the death of a person can bring about so much good. God works in a way that leaves us amazed and in awe of Him. Even hopeless situations are not hopeless for Him. Is there anything too hard for our LORD? Apparently not.

John 12:32  Ánd I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.

Jesus uses the growth of a corn or wheat grain as an explanation of His own work. His death at a certain time and place opens the doors of salvation to people of every age and nation. None are exempt from His gift of grace. As people hear the gospel message and believe in His work of salvation, Jesus will draw all those who are His to a saving faith. Through His death, new life comes and, in this work, Jesus is glorified.

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.

Have you come to know Jesus as your LORD and Savior? He gave His life so that you might have eternal life with Him. And it is only by His death that we can enjoy the fruits of living eternally with Him. There is no other way in which a man or woman may be saved. Let us come willingly to receive this new life and bask in the presence of Jesus, the one who brings us true freedom and deliverance. Jesus Christ is the only healing bridge over our troubled waters.

‘Heavenly Father, I come to You with a heavy heart. You see my hurts, my pain, my unforgiving spirit. Help me dear LORD. Wash me clean by Your precious blood, Jesus. Cleanse me from all unrighteousness and inspire me to live before others with love, patience, humility, grace and forgiveness. Jesus, help me to walk close with You through the troubles of life and to depend entirely upon You for assistance, deliverance and salvation. Amen.’