A battle rages where I live—a rivalry between two universities. The rivalry manifests itself primarily in athletic competition. My alma mater proudly displays the letter “S” as its logo. The S stands for State, as in Michigan State University. The other school brandishes a distinctive “M,” which represents the University of Michigan.
Recently my new business cards showed up. As I looked at one, the M logo stared rudely up at me, screened in behind my name. I’d been pranked!
But I had a different feeling about that M when my wife and I went to the University of Michigan Cancer Center. We’d just learned of her melanoma. Everywhere we looked, the block-letter M was abundantly evident, but we didn’t care. A gap had been bridged.
Jesus once encountered a man who had bridged a huge gap. As a military officer, this man was a part of the Roman force—hated for occupying Israel. His slave was dying, so “he sent some respected Jewish elders” to ask for Jesus’ help (Luke 7:2-3). And they did! His character bridged a gap—they knew he loved the Jewish people (Luke 7:4-5) and even told Jesus, “If anyone deserves your help, he does.”
Jesus left with them. But then this powerful man subordinated himself to Jesus, a Jewish rabbi. Recognizing His authority, he said, “I am not even worthy to come and meet you” (Luke 7:7). In amazement, Jesus said of him, “I haven’t seen faith like this in all of Israel” (Luke 7:9).
That statement bridged a gap too.
Jesus’ life built bridges, but it was His death that spanned the biggest gap of all—the one between His Father and us, between death and life.
Human beings divide over all sorts of reasons, silly and serious. It’s because of Jesus that we can come together.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Matthew 13:24-43
More:
Read Luke 7:36-50 to see how Jesus bridged two significant gaps.
Next:
What gaps can you bridge today? What does it mean for you to know that Jesus has bridged the gap between you and God?
Gary Shultz on July 10, 2017 at 5:57 am
Hi Tim: Tim & Tim today, that’s fine by me. You have to let me look at the Roman officer. Jesus noted it, so I must peel away a little of that flavor. What I like is that the officer pushed aside all rituals, all pre-conceptons that seemed to hold the Jewish nation in legal bondage; he thought out side the present day box. He took Jesus for who he was, he saw what others would not see. He took those thoughts and examined them with a more open heart and knew he had seen the Truth the world searched for. With great respect for the Jewish community the officer knew he had witnessed the one who bridged the gap. Why can’t we seem to believe what Jesus says, so often we are caught by diverse road blocks and distractions. Life would be so much better when we just see Jesus and believe the witness He has left. All we need to do is extend his love to others, and we pray they see Jesus. Thanks Tim
tim gustafson on July 10, 2017 at 7:24 am
Good morning, Brother! I’m always amazed at how often the four gospels deal with crossing cultural taboos. Not sinful taboos mind you, but cultural ones. Jesus talking with women when a good rabbi would not associate with them; the disciples being from different strata and even from different sides of the Jewish patriotism issue (Matthew had been a hated collaborator, and Simon was a Zealot); making a Samaritan the hero of a story. Jesus showed us the unity we should see in the Church, and this Roman is a part of that.
don777 on July 10, 2017 at 6:08 am
Humble- This bridges gaps. This military officer humbled himself unto Jesus. He understood who Jesus is. (GOD). What is so amazing is how Jesus humbled Himself for all of us.
God hates pride. +>i
tim gustafson on July 10, 2017 at 7:26 am
Don, that’s my biggest problem. And pride can be so sneaky! It’s so convicting to read Philippians 2 and realize the astonishing example of humility the Creator set for us.
gflory on July 10, 2017 at 7:49 am
I’m from Ohio and we also have that friendly rivalry with “that team up north”. But there is also a friendly blood drive to see who can collect the most pints of blood. In that case there are no losers, everybody wins. Jesus also participated in a blood drive, one that made everyone who accepts it a winner. PTL
tim gustafson on July 10, 2017 at 9:16 am
Nice analogy, gflory! And quite a reminder of what is really important. (I do love our silly little rivalry, though.)
Tom Felten on July 10, 2017 at 8:25 am
Tim, thanks for your inspiring post, and for extending a hand across the great divide. I know many wonderful people who have degrees from the school with the block “M”—including my wife! 🙂 Most important, because of Jesus we can be united as one with believers from “every nation and tribe and people and language: (Revelation 7:9). Praise Him!
envirotact on July 10, 2017 at 9:46 am
If I see a Yankee fan in trouble today, I will do my best to help.
Tom Felten on July 10, 2017 at 10:15 am
Ah, does this mean you’re a Red Sox fan? 🙂
envirotact on July 10, 2017 at 12:04 pm
Go Sox!!
tim gustafson on July 10, 2017 at 11:21 am
Now there’s a reader who gets the point of the article! Laugh. Out. Loud!
minkjh on July 10, 2017 at 2:40 pm
To build bridges or burn them are choices that confront us throughout our lives. Tim’s reference (Col 1:19-20) of Paul’s letter to the church at Colossae gives us the right viewpoint, and verse 21 further describes Christ’s work of reconciliation and what that does for those who believe. It’s so important that we hide this in our hearts and enlist it during our earthly walk, for there will come the day when some will face a fixed chasm that cannot be bridged or crossed over (Lk 16:19-31).