Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. Matthew 5:9 (ESV)
From time to time military forces sanctioned by the United Nations are sent into a country to keep peace between two warring factions. The show of force is meant to keep at bay the hostilities until diplomats can work out an agreeable solution to the disagreements and bring about a permanent cease-fire. The military forces are known as peacekeepers, but the diplomats are known as peacemakers. Though the peacekeepers may stop the fighting, the peacemakers help put an end to the cause of the hostilities and reconcile the parties involved.
Adam Clarke writes, “A peace-maker is a man who, being endowed with a generous public spirit, labors for the public good, and feels his own interest promoted in promoting that of others: therefore, instead of fanning the fire of strife, he uses his influence and wisdom to reconcile the contending parties, adjust their differences, and restore them to a state of unity.”
One commentary describes the work of a peacemaker to be “a very difficult and very noble achievement. They must often be content to bear bitter complaint from both sides, must exercise great self-control, unwearied patience, and loving tact, and must be manifestly impartial and unselfish.” The apostle James wrote, But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. (James 3:17-18 ESV) To which Clarke comments, “The peace-makers are continually recommending this wisdom to others, and their own conduct is represented as a sowing of heavenly seed, which brings forth Divine fruit.”
The best example we have of a peacemaker is the Lord Jesus Christ. Speaking of Christ, Paul wrote, For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross. (Colossians 1:19-20 ESV) We stood opposed and hostile toward God because of sin and were under the judgment of God’s wrath (Romans 8:7; Colossians 1:21; John 3:36). We were alienated from God, but by his blood Jesus not only brought Jew and Gentile together in one body, he made peace between sinner and God. Paul wrote, But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility. (Ephesians 2:13-14 ESV) Through his work on the cross, Jesus literally killed the hostility between God and those who have faith in his name (Ephesians 2:16; Romans 5:1).
The blessing awarded to those who are peacemakers is that they will be called sons of God. God is a God of peace (Hebrews 13:20; 1 Thessalonians 5:23; 2 Thessalonians 3:16) God’s only begotten, unique son, who is the image of God (2 Corinthians 4:4; Colossians 1:15), was a peacemaker. If we manifest a spirit like Christ’s we too will not only be called God’s sons we will also resemble his Son.
Are you a peacemaker? Do you resemble Jesus?
Scriptures for meditation:
2 Corinthians 13:11
Galatians 3:25-26
Ephesians 2:17