IN THE FIFTH CHAPTER OF HIS GOSPEL, Matthew begins his recording of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount with a section commonly called the Beatitudes – a list of blessed actions and characteristics of God’s people. Someone once described the Beatitudes as “kingdom promises for gospel practitioners.” They are assurances that those who live on this earth as gospel-transformed people will surely experience the power and blessing of relationship with Jesus both today and in the fullness of his kingdom. However, it should be noted that the Beatitudes are not easy to live by. They often confront our flesh at its very heart and call on us to live quite distinctly from the world around us.
In the seventh Beatitude Jesus said, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God” (Matthew 5:9). Let’s unpack this verse.
“Blessed”
This is the word that begins each of the Beatitudes. It means “happy,” “well off,” or “fortunate.” It is the position of those who are in a covenant relationship with God, and in the Beatitudes it describes the condition of one favored by the Lord who is living according to the ethics of the kingdom.
“Peacemakers”
Peacemakers are producers of peace. They get in the middle of conflict and seek to bring it to an end. They desire to bring wholeness of life (aka “shalom”) to others through the gospel of Jesus Christ. Peacemakers help to mend the brokenness that exists between individuals and groups, but also between people and God.
“Sons of God”
This is a Semitic idiom that often indicates those who share a certain godly characteristic or status with God. The phrase “sons of God” is only used in this particular Beatitude. In some ways it is like Jesus is saying, “you most look like your Father in heaven when you take on the role of peacemaker, for he is the God of peace.”
Peacemaking in Action
For Christians living in America today, the need for us to take on the role of peacemaker may be greater than at any other point in our lives. The lack of peace in our nation is almost palpable. One sees it in the eyes of those whose hearts are restless. One finds it continually via social media posts or headline news stories that demonstrate the unprecedented political polarization, growing misunderstanding and division among the races, and non-stop vitriol cast between certain interest groups. And all the while one asks, “Where are the peacemakers?” Where are the blessed sons and daughters of God to bring peace where there is none?
Unfortunately, too often, Christians have found themselves engaged in these wars of words as combatants rather than as peacemakers, raising the flag of their earth-bound “tribe,” forgetting their heavenly identity as they lob verbal grenades across the trenches.
Much of this misplaced focus is due to a decades-long culture war in America that Christians have effectively lost. American culture is far less influenced by Christianity today than it was in the 1980s when the most recent cultural battles began to be waged. Though the Church must continue to stand for truth and advocate for justice on the part of the vulnerable, many Christians need to change their tactics of cultural engagement and look for opportunities to be peacemakers instead of warmongers.
So, what might peacemaking look like? First, it involves being at peace with God. Is there unconfessed sin in my life? I should bring that before the Lord. Second, peacemaking should be focused on those I’m closest to – my family, friends, and neighbors. If there is conflict in any of those relationships, I should seek reconciliation. Third, it involves helping others to end conflict. This might be on social media or at work on in school. Helping to bring people together to graciously work through their differences and discovering the things they have in common. Last, but certainly not least, being a peacemaker means inviting others to have peace with their Creator through the gospel of Jesus Christ.
PRAYER
Father, we need your forgiveness for how we have often interacted with those with whom we disagree. Though we have desired to speak for truth, we often failed to combine it with love. Help us to see and take hold of opportunities to be peacemakers in our communities and within our society. Help us to be blessed children of God who lead others to have peace with you and peace with one another. Amen.
PONDER
- Think back to how God has made peace with you – through the sacrificial death of Jesus, by the Spirit’s initiative at your conversion, and along the way of your spiritual journey. How might that encourage you in your own pursuit of peacemaking with others?
- Have you ever experienced the blessing of being a peacemaker? How did God use you in that circumstance?
- Is there a relationship or a situation in which the Holy Spirit is calling you to seek peace?