The Arch of Faith

Have you ever considered a stone arch? It is a perfect illustration for God, the master builder, and for us humans, the stones.

To build an arch we first need a designer/ creator. Someone to determine width and height and to select and shape the stones. And we also need someone to do the actual building. That's God the Father.

Next, we need some unseen forces - gravity and friction. That's the Holy Spirit. Helping bind together all the essential elements.

Now we are ready to start construction. But first we need a few 'special' stones. The beginning stones of any arch are called springers. On one side we have Adam, the beginning of mankind. On the otherside we have The Law - Moses.

All of the intermediate stones are called voussoirs. That's us.

Here's a partial construction materials list for our 'arch of faith.'

God the Father - designer, creator, essential, the constructor, stone shaper

Adam (springer) - the first man, the Hebrew word of 'man', sinner, beginning

Abraham (voussoir) - 'faith credited as righteousness', the first covenant

Moses (springer) - the Deliverer, the law, murderer, head

David (voussoir) - "a man after my own heart," adulterer, murderer, King, leader

Mary (voussoir) - virgin, bride, "the church", submissive, obedient

The Thief on the Cross (voussoir) - us, by faith alone, submissive in death, totally dependant on God's mercy and grace

Jesus - (Keystone) Savior, King, teacher, example, the last Adam, essential, new covenant

Building an arch requires support during construction, something to hold it all up until the keystone (Jesus) makes His appearance. That's called faith.

It also requires a 'stone shaper.' Someone to chisel us into the exact shape needed. We stones come in all shapes, sizes and colors. But God can use us all for his glory.

Here's a short video of a young couple constructing and arch bridge. It's beautiful. It's a wonderful illustration for God's design for us humans to cross from death to life through faith in Jesus. Our Bridge.

"Hear my cry, O God, listen to my prayer; from the end of the earth I call to you when my heart is faint. Lead me to the rock that is higher than I, for you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the enemy." - Psalm 61:1-3

Dry Stone Bridge