Poet Voices - Jesus Built A Bridge Lyrics
Lyrics
Verse 1
One day they nailed a carpenter to a rugged tree
Thinking He would never build again
There they held Him through His hands and feet
Still He carried out a master plan
Chorus
Jesus built a bridge to heaven
So that I could have a way up to Him
Jesus built a bridge the only way He could
With only three nails and two pieces of wood
With one rugged cross, Jesus built a bridge
Verse 2
The Father looked from heaven to the world below
And it seemed there was no way to claim His own
So to the world God's Son, the master builder, had to go
To make a way to bring God's children home
Chorus
Jesus built a bridge to heaven
So that I could have a way up to Him
Jesus built a bridge the only way He could
With only three nails and three pieces of wood
With one rugged cross, Jesus built a bridge
Tag
With only three nails and two pieces of wood
With one rugged cross, Jesus built a bridge
Video
Poet Voices. Jesus Built A Bridge. 2000 (Pilgrim Song).
Meaning & Inspiration
Poet Voices’ "Jesus Built A Bridge," released on January 1, 1995, as part of their album *Our God Is Marching On…*, stands as a powerful testament to the central message of Christianity. The song masterfully uses the simple yet profound imagery of a bridge to convey the monumental act of redemption accomplished through Jesus Christ. It’s a lyrical journey that invites reflection on humanity’s separation from God and the divine solution offered through the cross, presenting an inspiring narrative of hope and reconciliation.
The song immediately draws us into the narrative by recalling the crucifixion, describing a "carpenter" nailed to a "rugged tree." This vivid imagery directly references Jesus's earthly profession and the brutal reality of His sacrifice. The line, "Thinking He would never build again," highlights the limited human perspective at the time, underscoring how those who crucified Him utterly failed to grasp the vastness of God’s redemptive plan. Despite their intentions to end His work, the song declares, "Still He carried out a master plan." This aligns perfectly with scriptural truths found in Acts 2:23, which states that Jesus was delivered up "by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God," and in Isaiah 53:5, foretelling how His suffering would bring healing and peace. The crucifixion, far from being an end, was the divinely ordained means to a new beginning for all humanity.
The chorus then unveils the profound meaning of this sacrifice: "Jesus built a bridge to heaven / So that I could have a way up to Him." This central metaphor succinctly captures the essence of salvation. Humanity, separated from God by sin (Romans 3:23), had no means to reach Him. Jesus, through His death, created the sole pathway back to the Father. The description of how this bridge was built — "With only three nails and two pieces of wood / With one rugged cross, Jesus built a bridge" — emphasizes the simplicity and raw power of the instrument of salvation. It was not through elaborate construction or human effort, but through a brutal, humble act of self-giving love. This resonates deeply with John 14:6, where Jesus declares, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." The cross is depicted not as a symbol of defeat, but as the ultimate construction project, connecting the earthly with the divine.
Verse two expands on the divine initiative behind this incredible act. It paints a picture of "The Father looked from heaven to the world below / And it seemed there was no way to claim His own." This portrays God’s longing for His creation and the recognition of humanity’s desperate, lost state (Romans 6:23). In response, "God's Son, the master builder, had to go / To make a way to bring God's children home." This beautiful phrasing underscores the sacrificial love of God, sending Jesus, the "master builder," to bridge the chasm. It mirrors John 3:16, "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son," and 2 Corinthians 5:19, which speaks of God "reconciling the world to himself in Christ." Jesus’s mission was not merely to offer a path, but to actively bring God's scattered "children home," restoring a broken relationship.
The powerful tag reiterates the profound simplicity and eternal significance of the cross: "With only three nails and two pieces of wood / With one rugged cross, Jesus built a bridge." This final affirmation leaves a lasting impression, reminding us that the most significant act in human history was accomplished through seemingly meager means, yet powered by immeasurable divine love. It’s a call to remember that our access to heaven, our reconciliation with God, is solely a gift, freely given through Jesus’s sacrifice. The song, in its lyrical depth and biblical faithfulness, serves as an encouraging anthem for anyone seeking hope and a pathway to God, cementing the cross not just as a historical event, but as the ever-present, divinely engineered bridge to eternity.