Jesus: Our Bridge Builder
Sunday Rewind is a 5-day Devotional based on the weekly sermon at Resonate Community Church
January 11th Sermon, Day 2
Have you ever stood at the edge of a deep canyon, wondering how you'd ever get to the other side? That's what division feels like in relationships. The gap seems too wide, the hurt too deep, the differences too fundamental. But what if someone had already built a bridge?
Paul tells the Ephesians something remarkable: Jesus himself is our peace. Not just a peacemaker or a peace-bringer, but peace itself. Through his sacrifice, he didn't just offer suggestions for getting along better - he actually destroyed the dividing wall of hostility that separated people.
Think about that for a moment. The cross wasn't just about your personal salvation. It was about tearing down every barrier that keeps people apart. Every wall of prejudice, every fortress of pride, every fence of fear - Jesus demolished them all through his sacrifice. This changes everything about how we approach difficult conversations. We're not trying to build bridges on our own strength or through clever arguments. The bridge already exists. Jesus has already done the heavy lifting. Our job isn't to create unity from scratch but to live in the unity he's already established.
When you're facing that next challenging conversation - whether it's with a family member, friend, or stranger on social media - remember that you're not starting from a place of division. You're starting from a place where Jesus has already made peace possible. The question isn't whether unity can happen, but whether you'll step onto the bridge he's already built. This doesn't mean all conversations will be easy or that everyone will agree. But it does mean that hostility doesn't have to have the final word.
Bible Verse
But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility - Ephesians 2:13-14
Reflection Question
How does knowing that Jesus has already destroyed the walls of hostility change your approach to someone you're in conflict with?
Quote You never build unity by winning arguments. You build it with sacrificial love.
Prayer
Jesus, thank You for being our peace and for tearing down the walls that divide us. Help me to live in the unity You've already created rather than building new barriers. Give me courage to step onto the bridge You've built. Amen.
