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The
Carpenter
A
story is told of two brothers, who lived on adjoining
farms, but fell into conflict. It was the first
serious rift in 40 years of farming side by side,
sharing machinery, and trading labor and goods as
needed without a conflict. Then the long collaboration
fell apart. It began with a small misunderstanding and
it grew into a major difference, and finally it
exploded into an exchange of bitter words followed by
weeks of silence.
One
morning there was a knock on John's door. He opened it
to find a man with a carpenter's toolbox. "I'm
looking for a few days' work" he said.
"Perhaps you would have a few small jobs here and
there I could help with? Could I help you?"
"Yes,"
said the older brother. "I do have a job for you.
Look across the creek at that farm. That's my
neighbor; in fact, it's my younger brother. Last week
there was a meadow between us and he took his
bulldozer to the river levee and now there is a creek
between us. Well, he may have done this to spite me,
but I'll do him one better."
"See that pile of lumber by the barn? I want you
to build me a fence -- an 8-foot fence -- so I won't
need to see his PLACE or his FACE anymore!"
The
carpenter said, "I think I understand the
situation. Show me the nails...
and the post-hole digger and I'll be able to do a
job that pleases you." The older brother had to
go to town, so he helped the carpenter get the
materials ready and then he was off for the day. The
carpenter worked hard all that day measuring, sawing,
nailing. About sunset when the farmer returned, the
carpenter had just finished his job.
The
farmer's eyes opened wide, his jaw dropped. There was
no fence there at all.
It was a BRIDGE --
a bridge stretching from one side of the creek to the
other! A fine piece of work, handrails and
all -- and the neighbor, his younger brother, was
coming toward them, his hand outstretched. "You
are quite a fellow to build this bridge after all I've
said and done."
The
two brothers stood at each end of the bridge, and then
they met in the middle, taking each other's hand. They
turned to see the carpenter hoist his toolbox onto his
shoulder. "No, wait! Stay a few days. I've a lot
of other projects for you," said the older
brother. "I'd love to stay on," the
carpenter said, "but I have MANY more bridges to
build."*
In
like manner, OUR sin has created an enormous chasm
which has separated YOU and ME from our Heavenly
Father (Isaiah 59:1-2).
But, because of His
GREAT love for us, God sent His Son -- a
carpenter --
to
"build the bridge" whereby we may "return
to God" -- to receive forgiveness for
our sins and be reconciled to Him (Mark 6:3; John
3:16; Roman 5:8-10).
Building
the bridge of forgiveness to close this tremendous gap
cost the life of Jesus as He paid
the price for our sins on the cross (1 Peter
1:18-19). We
may "cross the bridge" through our obedient
faith – believing
in Jesus and trusting Him (Acts 16:31), repenting
of our sins (Acts 17:30-31), confessing
Him before men (Romans 10:9-10), being baptized
(immersed) for the forgiveness of our sins (Acts
2:38), and faithfully following Him for the rest of
our lives (1 John 1:7).
Jesus
said, "I am the Way (the
"Bridge"),
the Truth, and the
Life. No
one comes ("crosses
over") to
the Father except through Me" (John 14:6).
Have
YOU crossed the Bridge of
forgiveness and reconciliation to God?
God bless you!
David
A. Sargent, Minister
Church of Christ at Creekwood
1901 Schillinger Rd. S.
Mobile, Alabama 36695
* Author Unknown
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