The Power of the BloodExemplo

The Blood: Our Peacemaker and Arbitrator  

Coagulation is one of your blood’s most essential functions. The word “coagulation” actually means “bringing together” or “tightening up.” When your blood “tightens up” outside a wound, it forms a scab on your skin. Were it not for coagulation, you would lose your blood through that wound. Of course, if you lost too much blood, you would die—because the life of the flesh is in the blood.

This aspect of blood takes on a whole new meaning in light of Colossians 1:20, which says of Christ:

…By Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross. 

The word “reconcile” in this Scripture means basically the same thing as coagulate. Reconcile means “to bring together.” We were reconciled, or “brought together,” with the Father when Jesus shed His blood to remove our sins; we became joint heirs with Christ and at peace with God. We were not only made one with God in heaven, but we also have peace with people on Earth.

Once, after reading that Scripture, I prayed, “God, if Colossians 1:20 will reconcile me with others, then I am going to experiment with it.” My experiment with Colossians 1:20 involved a woman in our church who was very upset with my husband Wally and me. As a surprise, she had painted one of our church classrooms. My husband was more than surprised—he was totally shocked! He thought the color was unsightly.

When the woman heard that Wally didn’t like the color, she responded angrily, “I have taken all this time and trouble to help, and you don’t like the color!”

“We appreciate your help,” we replied, “whether we like the color or not.”

Despite our apologies, the woman remained furious—so furious that she refused to speak with us. When I tried to call her, as soon as she heard my voice on the telephone, she hung up!

I prayed, “Lord, let the blood of Jesus reconcile our relationship according to Colossians 1:20.” Just a few hours later, my telephone rang, and it was the same woman—but she was no longer angry.

“I have been so upset with you,” she began, “and I’m sorry.” Then she said, “I recently discovered that my father is sick. Would you pray with me for him?”

Since that time, I have been praying Colossians 1:20 for people with marital problems and even for couples who are divorced or separated. Marriages have been reconciled—brought together by Christ shedding His blood on the cross. Old wounds have been healed and left behind. My experiment proved to me that the blood of Jesus is powerful enough to coagulate even the most impossible relationships.