The World's Greatest Span

It was a challenging day in April 1967 when engineers from the Michael Baker, Jr., Inc. drove to a spectacular sight known as the New River Gorge, located in Fayette County, fifty miles southeast of Charleston in the heart of the West Virginia hills. The purpose of their visit was to lay foundation plans for an immense undertaking known as "The New River Gorge Project" which involved the spanning of the three thousand foot wide gorge over the New River (nine hundred feet below) with a single span steel bridge. Could it be done?

On February 12, 1974, a helicopter ferried twin wires across the deep gorge. Then, these were replaced with larger cables. They were joined to twin three hundred thirty foot towers on each side. This provided a cableway system for two fifty ton trolley-hoists which were used in the lifting of steel bridge sections from railroad cars below. The erection of structural steelwork began on July 18, 1975. With cables straining and hoists groaning, the steelwork, piece by piece, was lifted and fitted into place in the seventeen hundred foot arch above. The heaviest single piece weighed eighty-six tons! The largest joint called for twenty-three hundred bolts, all more than an inch in diameter!

On May 13, 1976, the final major maneuver took place when the two eight hundred fifty foot long halves of the bridge's arch were joined. Almost nine hundred feet above the roaring river, skilled men stood on narrow steel beams. The hoists were ready with their two fifteen ton top chord members. With the precision of a watchmaker, the thirty foot beams were lowered between the two waiting arch halves and, within moments, the span was complete! Thus stood the second highest bridge in the United States and the world's longest steel arch span! Thousands of tons of steel, thousands of man hours, and over thirty million dollars had been invested, but it was done!

A TREMENDOUS SEPARATION

Now let us apply this amazing feat to spiritual things. Just as the New River Gorge produced a separation from one side to the other, so sin has produced a tremendous separation between man and his God. "Your iniquities have separated between you and your God" (Isa. 59:2). This is true of all, simply because "All have sinned" (Rom. 3:23). This includes me, it includes you! One may be intelligent, highly moral or talented, educated, or even religious, yet that little word "ALL" takes him in! Drink that truth in, dear soul, that "ALL have sinned." As a result of this, man is separated from his God. Now this is sad indeed, for if the gap is never spanned in your lifetime, you will be separated from God for eternity. Scripture is clear on the abode of such after death. "Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire." "These shall go away into everlasting punishment." (Matt. 25:41, 46). Now, can anything be more sad than this? I believe not, but God says it, so it's true!

Many have deceived themselves, thinking that religion, baptism, confirmation or even good works will rid them of their sins and make them fit for heaven. However, these fail for God says, "Not by works of righteousness" (Titus 3:5). What can be done? Thank God, we have good news for you, for the Bible provides the answer!

GOD'S GREAT SPAN

God has provided a span for the sinner to get over to the other side! Just as the New River Bridge was built at a great cost for all to use, so God's Divine Bridge was procured at infinite cost and is free "unto all" (Rom. 3:22). In love to your soul, God's only Son came down from heaven, went to the Cross, bled and died to purchase an eternal and free salvation for you. "God spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all" (Rom. 8:32). Yes, on Calvary, Jesus spanned the great distance between God and the sinner. "There is one God, and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus" (I Tim. 2:5). Notice, it is not Peter, the saints, nor Mary but "the Man Christ Jesus"! Peter testifies, "Neither is there salvation in any other" (Acts 4:12). That satisfies me, does it satisfy you?

Passage over the New River Bridge is free. Ah, dear friend, God's salvation is free too! "The (free) gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Rom. 6:23). Peter rebuked a man because he thought that the gift of God could be purchased with money (Acts 8:20).

On Route 19, the bridge spans the gorge for all, yet one thing is needed if you expect to reach the other side. You must trust the bridge by getting on it. In like manner, you can be reconciled to God through the death of His Son (Rom. 5:10), but you must trust Him. I like I Peter 3:18 which states, "For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the Just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God." Why not trust the Saviour, dear soul, and bridge the awful gap that exists between you and God. If you do, He will forgive you all your sins. He will provide you a home in heaven. He will give you a new relationship with God. Then, God will be able to say of you, "But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ." (Eph. 2:13)

ROBERT E. SURGENOR, Evangelist