Bridge The Gap
In 1961, John Lewis, a young Baptist seminary student in Nashville, joined a peaceful protest for equal rights. During the demonstration, he was beaten by a white man named Elwin Wilson, a former member of the Ku Klux Klan. Decades later, Wilson became a Christian and felt convicted that he could not follow Jesus without making things right. He tracked down Lewis, confessed his sin, and asked for forgiveness. Instead of holding on to bitterness, Lewis embraced him as a brother in Christ. Their story shows that the gospel can heal even deep wounds, turning enemies into family — and that God’s grace can truly bridge the gap.
Scripture Overview
Paul’s letter to Philemon is short, but it deals with something enormous: a runaway slave named Onesimus had become a Christian while with Paul in prison. In the Roman Empire, running away could bring brutal punishment — even death. Yet Paul sends Onesimus back, not as a slave to be punished, but as a brother to be welcomed. Paul appeals to Philemon’s faith and love, urging him to go against the grain of his culture and treat Onesimus as family. This is risky for both men — Onesimus could be rejected and treated harshly, and Philemon could face social pressure for breaking cultural norms. But Paul shows that in Christ, reconciliation isn’t just mending a hurt — it’s choosing love and mercy even when it costs something. And though we never get a definitive ending to Philemon and Onesimus’ story, here’s one interesting historical tidbit - the church leader who followed Timothy as the key church leader in Ephesus had the interesting name of…Onesimus! Possibly just a coincidence, but it is interesting to note that “Onesimus” means “useful” and was only a common name among slaves!
Things to Ponder
Who in your life might you need to reconcile with?
How does remembering God’s forgiveness toward you change how you treat others?
What fears or barriers might keep you from bridging a relational gap?
Who in your world could you stand in the middle for, helping two sides come together?
Application Challenge
Reconciliation often feels risky. It might mean reaching out when you’re not sure how the other person will respond, or showing mercy when the world says you have the right to be angry. For Philemon, obeying Paul’s request could have been costly in his community — yet the gospel called him to see Onesimus through God’s eyes, not the world’s rules.
What would it look like for you to take a costly first step toward peace this week? Maybe it’s forgiving someone even if they haven’t apologized, or defending someone who is vulnerable. Remember: the gospel doesn’t just close the gap between us and God — it equips us to bridge the gaps between each other, even when it’s hard.
Prayer Prompt
Lord, thank You for reconciling us to Yourself through Jesus. Help us to show the same grace, mercy, and love to others. Give us courage to bridge the gaps in our relationships, even when it’s hard. Use our actions to point people back to You.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.