A Bridge Over Troubled Waters

OCTOBER 14, 2020

By Pastor Dan Chun

I think most Christians know of the famous verse of John 3:16: “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.”

But not many people know of FIRST John 3:16: “We know love by this, that He laid down His life for us—and we ought to lay down our lives for one another.”

There are two parts of this verse—what we receive from Jesus and then what we do with the love He has poured out on us.

The first half is that Jesus laid down His life for us. The verse John 10:11 gives context for this: “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.”

In ancient Israel if you raised sheep in a fenced off pen, a good shepherd would lie down at the entrance to protect the sheep from any intruder whether human or animal. He would give his life for his sheep. 

This is the kind of love Jesus has for us. He laid down His life for us. He laid down on a cross and was nailed and crucified for us. He suffered for us. When there is personal pain due to illness, death, finances, relationship strife, know that Jesus understands and that He laid down His life for us. 

The other day I just happened to fall upon a video on how the famous song “Bridge Over Troubled Waters” was created in 1969. Written by Paul Simon and performed by Simon and Art Garfunkel, it was composed as a gospel hymn. When you read some of the lyrics below, you can see how one can easily interpret it as Jesus Christ Himself as THE Bridge Over Troubled Waters. He is the One who can help us get over or through the troubled waters of life. Remember this when the white water rapids of coronavirus descend upon us with all of its containment at home, loss of income, or illness. 

I know this is a hard time. But this time of covid should hopefully remind us to run to God for He is the One who lays down His life for us. May we run to faith and not away from it. But then what do we do with this knowledge?

The second  part of the 1 John 3:16 says, “He laid down His life for us and we ought to lay down our lives for others.” There it is. We get love from God, we give love in His name. 

Thank you for doing that as you pour your love into your friends, your family and your volunteering to help those in need. Thank you for those of you in the medical/emergency response professions who are on the front lines.

And now, here are some of the lyrics of one of the great classic songs of all time (check it out millennials and read it as Jesus Himself singing to you:

When you're weary, feeling small
When tears are in your eyes, I will dry them all, all
I'm on your side, oh, when times get rough
And friends just can't be found
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down

When you're down and out
When you're on the street
When evening falls so hard
I will comfort you
I'll take your part, oh, when darkness comes
And pain is all around
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down

© 1969 Words and Music by Paul Simon

Video available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WrcwRt6J32o

Prayer: Lord, thank You so much for being our bridge over troubled waters. When life is turbulent, and we can feel like we are drowning, thank You for reaching out Your hand to us and pulling us up. This coronavirus has gone on for so long. Sometimes we feel like we are drowning. But like we are drifting under a bridge, You reach down and pull us up and allow us to walk once again. We praise You and thank You for laying down Your life for us. In Christʻs name, Amen. 

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