Peace through blood: “the way of the cross”
When I think of the words “peace” and “blood” I don’t immediately connect the two. In fact, it would seem that where there is the shedding of blood that is where there is no peace. It doesn’t make a lot of sense that peace is found through the shedding of blood. But yet the shedding of blood takes place when there is no peace. I’ve never thought about the death of Jesus on the Cross as God’s invasion of my reality and meeting me on my turf where I view the shedding of blood as proof of no peace. 
Perhaps, Jesus’ death on the Cross was God’s way of saying to me, “you and I are not at peace.” Perhaps God then takes it another level and through Jesus’ death on the cross wants to transform my idea of peace that once I am at peace with God (through the shedding of Jesus’ blood) I can now live a life of peace in the world that doesn’t require the shedding of any more blood.
What if being at peace with God through the blood of Jesus required that I now be at peace with the world because of this transformation of grace? What if being at peace with God through the shedding of the blood of Jesus required that I now become an agent of this peace within the world? What does this agent of peace look like in a world that is ravished with unrest? 
In Colossians 1:20 Paul reminds us that God was pleased to reconcile everything to Him by making peace through the blood of Jesus. As a follower of this one who “makes peace through blood” I am required to be an agent of this peace; to follow in Jesus’ footsteps even to the point that this testimony of peace can continue through my blood. I thank Jesus for the martrys of this peace who have given up their blood for the message of peace to continue. I pray that God would shine down light on our world and that the gospel of peace would continue through the message that in Jesus’ blood God has offered true and complete peace to the world while at the same time calling His followers to be agents of this peace within the world.
Pastor P
chadpullins@connect2crossroads.com; www.wedesiremore.com
I think how ironic the Gospel is – the first shall be last,etc. Think about the lamb in Revelation that conquers not through exacting violence, but through self-sacrifice. Jesus is a peace mongorer.