The physical Life of a person is defined by the time line between birth and death. You cannot talk just about a person’s birth in isolation to how he has lived and the legacy he has left, it will be meaningless to do so. In the case of Christ, it is important to focus not just on His birth but why He was born. Christ came to be the bridge of mercy between man and God. The question is not if there is a God but rather how do I know His existence. The coming of Christ brought life to us
BRIDGE:
The free dictionary defines a bridge as a structure carrying a way over a depression or obstacle.
MERCY
The quality of God that directs Him to forge a relationship with people who do not deserve a be in a relationship with Him. God’s desire to liberate His people from the grip of sin is what motivates His mercy.
Sin as spiritual depression
Sin is the depression or obstacle between God and His creation, humans. The sin of Adam and Eve polluted a wonderful relationship and consequently created a deep valley of separation. God’s mercy is predicated on His unparalleled love. His mercy is unending. His mercy is accessible to all irrespective of whether you are royalty or economically challenged, Caucasian, African, male or female, old or young. He showed His love love towards His people in the Old Testament through the various covenants and the possibility for purification through the sacrifice of animals.
Psalm 25:6-7 6 Remember, O Lord , thy tender mercies and thy lovingkindnesses; for they have been ever of old. [7] Remember not the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions: according to thy mercy remember thou me for thy goodness' sake, O Lord .
God’s mercy and our salvation
The people of Israel were simply out of control, despite their recalcitrant ways, God still made His love available regardless of them pushing His mercies to the extreme. Salvation is totally based on God’s mercy. His mercy forms the foundation for our salvation. The pinnacle of His love and mercy was when His Son Jesus Christ had to voluntarily surrender Himself to be crucified knowing that His blood was the only thing that qualified for washing away our sins. Showing mercy is a trademark of being a part of God’s Kingdom. Mercy should ideally be a distinguishing mark of God’s people. The impact of His mercy is best seen in those who honour, love and fear Him.
Luke 1:49-50 For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name. [50] And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation.
Exodus 33:17-20 And the Lord said unto Moses, I will do this thing also that thou hast spoken: for thou hast found grace in my sight, and I know thee by name. [18] And he said, I beseech thee, shew me thy glory. [19] And he said, I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and I will proclaim the name of the Lord before thee; and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will shew mercy on whom I will shew mercy. [20] And he said, Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live.
Jesus Christ personally emphasised mercy in His teachings. Jesus glorified God in all He did. When you glorify God, you live in every way He has created you to be in His image. A tree glorifies God by providing food, shelter, carbon dioxide etc
Matthew 5:7-8 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. Matthew 18:21-25 Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? [22] Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven. [23] Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants. [24] And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents. [25] But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made.
The account of the lady who was caught in adultery is narrated by John (John 8:4) deserved to die according to the law. Her Scribes & Pharisees wanted to enforce the law but Christ showed her mercy.
Exodus 20:14 Thou shalt not commit adultery.
Leviticus 20:10 And the man that committeth adultery with another man’s wife, even he that committeth adultery with his neighbour’s wife, the adulterer and the adulteress shall surely be put to death.
Joseph showed Mary mercy even before he was spoken by the angel and enabled to understand why Mary who he was preparing to get married to was already pregnant
Matthew 1:18-20 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. [19] Then Joseph her husband, being a just man , and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily. But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.
Joseph showed love to Mary even when he could have disgraced her publicly. How are you? Do you allow God’s mercy to have its way in situations when all are to your favour? Do you unleash your whole arsenal? God’s mercy is inexhaustible. He hears and responds to those who reach out to Him.
Matthew 15:22 And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou Son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil.
Isaiah 7:14-15 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. [15] Butter and honey shall he eat, that he may know to refuse the evil, and choose the good.
The Prophet Isaiah spoke extensively about the coming of Jesus Christ centuries before He was born. He spoke about Jesus coming to take away our sins and bear our griefs and sorrows
Isaiah 53:4-7 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. [5] But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. [6] All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.
God had a permanent plan of mercy for man to enable His salvation as against the old arrangement when animals were constantly being sacrificed for the atonement of sins. A permanent solution had to be put in place to take away the old ordinance
Hebrews 9:13-17 For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: [14] How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? [15] And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance. [16] For where a testament is , there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. [17] For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth.
Are you willing to embrace the Bridge of mercy?
You cannot make and yield to a decision your spirit has not accepted. Jesus is reaching out to your spirit and mind right now. A drowning man can only be saved if he accepts the help of the person who graciously puts his own life in danger to save him. You cannot be free except you surrender to Jesus Christ who wants to save you by providing that bridge of mercy to help you move from a place of utter misery and darkness to that of light and life.
Our physical world is subject to the spiritual? Are you willing to make the utmost decision that will impact your life today and even when you cease to physically exist? There is life even after death, the decision of accepting or rejecting Christ will impact this choice. Christ came to liberate man. Are you willing to be liberated? do you want to live a complete life? Do you want to experience a new life that is only possible across the bridge of mercy?
Romans 6:16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?
We are temporarily physical bodies but permanently spiritual beings. Our life her on earth is but a time of sojourning, it is only when we have life that we can receive Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour and it is through this salvation is ushered in. It is very simple to begin this relation with God through His Son, Jesus Christ. It begins by saying the prayer of salvation below. The Bible says,
Romans 10:9-10 that if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10For with your heart you believe and are justified, and with your mouth you confess and are saved
Prayer of salvation
Dear Lord Jesus Christ, I acknowledge in my heart and I confess that You died on the cross to take away sins. I acknowledge that I am a sinner and Your blood is the only thing that can wash away my sins. Please wash my sins away and deliver me from darkness into Your Kingdom of light and Life, Amen.
Revelation 22:17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.
John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
Congratulations is you have said this simple but very powerful prayer. You have just crossed through the Bridge of mercy into the most wonderful place, God’s family. Welcome!