SideCut Bridge

This piece was inspired by the photographic work of my good friend Jen. She took these in the Autumn of either her Senior year in HS or her Freshman year of College. She was one of my former dance students who had decided to major in art/psychology. This was among a group of pix she took for a photography class, and e-mailed to me. I'd never known her as anything other than a friend, student, dancer and Christian. I was quite frankly shocked at how she had a gift for unveiling the profound, within the seemingly mundane. She has since graduated with her dual BA and gone on to pursue her MDiv.

At that time in my life, there was nothing I looked at or experienced that I didn't somehow connect to Jesus Christ. I'm not quite sure why these particular words poured out of me when I saw the picture; I'm sure it's not what Jen intended.

For those concerned with details, yes I know the Lord's side was pierced with a spear. Like I said, I'm just relaying what what was Given to me. Also, the idea that the piercer was blind in one eye--and that his sight was restored when the Blood/Water touched it--is from a Christian fable, not the Gospels.

Here's the text, with all the copyright info (also in the video credits) beneath. God Bless You.

Christ's Love,
Sincerely,
Marvin J. †


ps--Wow. It's been a really long time since I've uploaded a video here. Apparently, I am allowed to post maps of where the video was recorded. Well, the video was recorded at my house, but I've instead posted a map to Sidecut Park, in case any of you want to try to see the bridge in person. It's in Maumee, a suburb of Toledo. GBU, MDJ. †




Sidecut Bridge

The tip of the sword that pierced His side was sharp enough to ensure He died; as sharp as my sin, though good I'd tried--but failed...for which He was Crucified.
The shaft of the sword that pierced His skin was strong enough to plunge deep within; as long as my longing to be free from sin--not to be...unless He would die to win.
The iron of the sword that pierced His flesh was hard enough to part like mere mesh; as cold as my callousness, rushing in to kill--then die...for Him to revive afresh.
The hand on the sword that drove it through belonged to a sinner, like me and you; we three who He made reference to--saying, "Father, forgive them...they know not what they do."
The eye of the man that gripped the sword was blind 'til the blood from the Living Word bled into it; thus it was restored to life...but to see it's lifeless Lord.

I think of that eye when I look at this bridge; how it couldn't see death, being dead. But, to live, was touched by the last drops of life before death, only then born again...to see but His last breath. In that eternal, momentous breath, could it see that the bridge there before it was straight as could be? And so easy to cross the dark waters below, having been blind, fallen in from now 'til years ago? And seeing the straight Way across, falters though...for beyond is a curve whose end I don't know. And the bridge looks quite sturdy, but beyond it my eye finds rocks and gravel and dirt, just like the path behind. I see lights that aren't lit, there, on the far side; if I cross, will they magically light--thus, to guide. Over there weeps a willow, beckoning to the brave...does it weep pain for the fearful, or joy for the saved?
My hands are now shaking, like that hand long ago--as it thrust forth its weapon...my sins in its tow. Will these hands grab the rails of the bridge, and then pull me across to a Life--through His death--that is full? Will I pull as hard as he pushed the sword through, when the iron made a bridge from our sin-filled hand to the Life at the other, sharp, deadly end? Life drawn closer with each inch of iron sinking in. Whether shaft made of iron or a bridge made of wood, representing the distance between evil and good, the tip of the sword--where the road has it's end--is buried in Christ, but not seen 'round the bend. I approach this bridge o'er a creek in a park. From beginnings of light to the comings of dark, one may picture this scene at a park named Sidecut...and approach a bridge made of wood there within, seeing the bridge made of iron, killing Him and our sin.



©Marvin D. Johnson, 07 SEP 2000

Image: "Sidecut Bridge", ©Jennifer L. Grabarczyk, 2000
(You can see some of her current paintings at--
http://jengrabarczykart.blogspot.com )

Music: "Jesus is Carried Down", ©2004. Music by John Debney, lyrics by Lisbeth Scott & John Debney, from the album THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST: ORIGINAL MOTION PICTURE SOUNDTRACK.
Available at online and retail outlets everywhere.

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• Black
• JaPanther
• BlackJaPanther
• Jennifer
• Grabarczyk
• SideCut
• Bridge
• Photo
• Inspiration
• Inspired
• Inspiring
• Metropark
• Maumee

[Schliengen]

hi, do you have also this song "JESUS IS CARRIED DOWN"? Can you add it please? i'm looking all over for this song...

thanks...

[BlackJaPanther]

No, I'm sorry. I don't think I have it. But I will look and if I find it, I will let you know. God Bless You. Sincerely, Marvin J. †

[ctipling]

wow! great to see you back posting and what a wonderful video!

[BlackJaPanther]

Hi, Cindi. Yeah, postings are few and far between, these days. GBU, MDJ. †

[BlackJaPanther]

I hate that I didn't fix the verbal flub at 2:20. Oh well, it's done now. GBU, MDJ. †

[livingpassion]

Wow, well written and even better read. Thank you for sharing this Marvin. Sorry if I haven't been very interactive lately. A lot going on! Anyway, definitely inspired. Haunting and both tragic and a reminder of the wonderful Gift He has given us. God bless!

Stefani