The strait between New Brunswick Canada and Prince Edward Island is enormous and it was a big problem to folks in the Great White North.  The strait would freeze in the winter rendering travel by ferry impossible.  So, the Confederation Bridge was built.   

The span is more than 8 miles long and is the longest in the world.  It even has its own zone for the weather forecast.  The bridge is convenient to use but it’s costly.  In 2023 the toll was $50 Canadian per car.   

When it was first opened, they found that 1 out of every 10 drivers would seize up in fear when they tried to cross it because they couldn’t see the end of it.  It disappeared into the horizon.  

It was such a problem that the toll plaza had to provide bridge escorts who took the wheel for jittery motorists.   The driver would just scooch over and relax and let an expert take the wheel.

John Denver led us to believe that West Virginia is almost heaven, but I am thinking Prince Edward Island may be a better comparison.

The strait freezes in the winter and makes passage to the island by boat impossible.  The way to heaven, however, is more than impossible.  Forget trying to earn your way.  Jesus set a very high standard for us.  He said, “So then, be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” – Matthew 5:48

A perfect balloon will hold air, but one teeny pinhole will explode it and make it useless.  Likewise, one single sin makes one less than perfect.  

But God gave us a bridge.  Jesus said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father, except through me.” – John 14:6   Jesus claimed to be the way, the only way to heaven.   

The fare for the Confederation Bridge is hefty, but the fare to heaven is far greater.   Paul told us that the wages of sin is death. (Romans 3:23)   This is to say that anyone and everyone who has gotten crossways with the ways of God is a sinner and has chosen by default to spend an eternity in hell – to suffer a death that never ends. 

But the apostle John opened the book of Revelation with this tribute to Jesus.  He said, “To the one who loves us and has set us free from our sins at the cost of his own blood.” – Revelation 1:5

What wonderful news.  Jesus, motivated by His love for us, set us free from our sins.  It cost Him His lifeblood, shed on the cross of Calvary.  He died for us and by faith we receive His gift.

But we still need to cross that bridge.  Like the island, we are just not able to see heaven from where we stand.  Though we trust the Lord, some of us still get the jitters as we think about the journey.   

Fortunately, for people like us, an escort has been provided. Again, it is Jesus to the rescue.  He spoke these words of comfort, “I am going away to make ready a place for you. And if I go and make ready a place for you, I will come again and take you to be with me, so that where I am you may be too.” John 14:2-3

He promised to return, and to join us.  He will be right there with us when it’s time to make that journey home.  We won’t go it alone.

It is quite amazing!  Jesus became our bridge, paid the toll, and plans to be with us to escort us across. 

It is not an optional journey by the way.  They say 100 out of every 100 people

die.  We either cross that bridge or perish in our sins.  The journey begins with a prayer like this…

A PRAYER: I want to cross over to the other side.  Jesus, please forgive me for my sins, cleanse me and give to me the priceless gift of eternal life.

This has been Jim Johnson and pickleheavenpress.com.

May the grace of our Lord Jesus be with you!

Scripture references are from the NETBible ®