The Only Bridge

For decades I’d seen in evangelistic tracts and literature the drawn image of a cross spanning a chasm of flames. The flames represent hell. Heaven is on the other side of the chasm. There is only one way to get from this side to the other. Those who walk the way of the cross are safe from eternal destruction.

Only recently did I learn the image of the bridge dates to the 1300s when St. Catherine of Sienna first put forward the idea of the Cross as a Bridge across a powerfully flowing river, which represents sin and hell. 

Rather than think evangelicals borrowed that imagery from the Catholic saint, I believe what happened is the Holy Spirit used and uses the same imagery to everyone and anyone whose heart is restless for Truth and eternal life. 

Yes, and even now, Jesus, as a Bridge over trouble waters, Jesus is softly and tenderly calling, “Oh sinner, come home.” 

If you’ve never come as an adult, I hope you will come. And if you have come in the past, but need to do so again – please won't you do so, again?