Everyday Bridge Builders

“For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus.” (1 Timothy 2:5)

If we’re going to be peacemakers, we need a clear view of the ultimate Peacemaker. On one side stands holy God; on the other side stands sinful humanity. The gulf is real, and it is wide. We cannot get to Him; we cannot make ourselves worthy. But Jesus—fully God, fully man—steps in as the Mediator. He takes the Father by the hand, and He takes us by the hand, and through His cross He brings us together. That is the greatest bridge ever built.

And having received that kind of reconciliation, we get to reflect it. We are called sons and daughters of God because we take after our Heavenly Father. Barnabas did just that. Saul (later called Paul) had fiercely persecuted the church. Then Christ saved him. When Saul wanted to join the believers in Jerusalem, they were terrified—and who could blame them? But Barnabas stepped in. He built a bridge. He took Saul, brought him to the apostles, and told the story of his conversion and bold preaching in Damascus (Acts 9:26–27). On Barnabas’ word—on his bridge—the church received their former enemy as a brother.

Barnabas did it again with John Mark. On that first missionary journey with Paul and Barnabas, the pressure mounted, and John Mark turned back (Acts 13:13). When it came time to go again, Barnabas wanted to give him another chance. Paul said, essentially, “Absolutely not.” The contention was so sharp they parted ways: Paul took Silas; Barnabas took Mark (Acts 15:36–41). In hindsight, Barnabas was right to believe that John Mark wouldn't repeat what he did in the first journey. Years later, Paul himself would write, “Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for ministry” (2 Timothy 4:11). And Mark would pen the Gospel that bears his name. That’s peacemaking. Barnabas saw John Mark's potential and believed God could still use him.

David also lived through this experience with King Saul. He had every opportunity to take Saul’s life and justify it. In the cave at En Gedi, David quietly cut off a corner of Saul’s robe rather than taking his head, then called out, “I will not stretch out my hand against my lord, for he is the Lord’s anointed” (1 Samuel 24:1–12, especially v. 6). Later, he refused again to harm Saul when he found him sleeping (1 Samuel 26:9–11). In both moments, David said, in essence, “I’m not your enemy.” He entrusted justice to God. That’s peacemaking with courage and restraint. He refused to repay evil for evil, choosing to keep the bridge intact even when you could burn it and feel justified.

Let me share an illustration that highlights the power of bridge-building, even in everyday life. The founder of Chick-fil-A, Truett Cathy, once brought together two rival newspaper editors who could never agree on anything. He sat them side by side, each holding a Chick-fil-A chicken sandwich, under a caption that read: “We don’t agree on anything, but we do agree on this.”

If a businessman can bridge rivals over a sandwich, how much more can the love of Christ reconcile hearts in light of the Cross? Peacemaking is not about glossing over differences. It is about creating a place where truth and grace can be spoken, heard, and lived. But we can never express the peace of God unless we have first experienced peace with God.

“Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 5:1). And “the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit” (Romans 14:17). Once peace with God is settled, the peace of God can flow through us to others. Only then can we be the peacemaker in our homes, our church, or our city.

Let’s build some bridges today; not flimsy ones that collapse under pressure, but gospel bridges strong enough to carry the weight of real offenses, real differences, or real pain. The love of God poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit (Romans 5:5) is more than enough for the task.

Reflection Question: With whom is God inviting you to build a bridge? What specific step will you take today?

Lord Jesus, thank You for being my Mediator, for making peace between holy God and me through Your cross. Use me to reconcile, to restore, and to rebuild. Teach me to speak truth with love, to take the first step and build a strong bridge in my relationships. Make me worthy of the name “child of God” by how I initiate peace. In Jesus’ Name, amen.

Adapted from "Becoming a Bridge-Builder": https://www.joshfranklin.org/media/5dw2p8w/7-become-a-bridge-builder