Blessed are the Peacemakers

March 24th, 2015 | John Chandler

As Jesus opened his famous Sermon on the Mount, he said something that has been quoted repeatedly ever since, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.”

The word “peacemaker” has such a lovely ring to it. It sounds like someone whose job it is to make sure everything is tranquil and free from conflict or strife. As the mother of two girls who engage in normal sibling rivalry, I’d consider employing a peacemaker to help me out at times.

Jesus was talking about more than the absence of conflict when he blessed peacemakers. In the Bible the word peace is referring to the idea of wholeness and completeness. It’s talking about total restoration and reconciliation. This kind of peace only comes through Jesus. Ultimately, it is through Jesus’ blood on the cross that we are able to have peace with God (Romans 5:1). Those of us who follow Jesus can be ambassadors of peace with the ability to bring peace into our relationships and into the rest of the world.

We don’t have to look far to see where peace is needed. The news locally and globally, as well as circumstances in the lives of our coworkers, families, and friends reveal plenty of opportunity for peace making.

So, how can we be peacemakers? Peacemakers are those who continually look for alternatives to conflict, violence, or strife. Whether the turmoil is physical, emotional, or spiritual, peacemakers seek to bring redemption and reconciliation to the circumstances. Peacemakers do not run from conflict or just try to smooth things over; rather they find ways, like Jesus, to confront it. This can be difficult or even painful at times.

That is why the kind of peacemaking Jesus taught about does not necessarily mean the absence of conflict or even pain. Scripture says that Jesus made peace through his blood shed on the cross, reconciling all things, in heaven and on earth, to himself (Colossians 1:20). As we enter Holy Week and reflect on Jesus’ Passion, we walk with Jesus to the cross and suffer alongside him. It is through the violence, abuse, and death of Jesus and eventually his victory over it, that peace comes to us.

We are to be Christ’s ambassadors of peace as we go into the world. In bringing peace we participate in the very same work as Jesus, the Son of God. “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” As we make peace, bringing reconciliation and wholeness into our areas of influence we claim our identity as heirs with Christ — sons and daughters of our Heavenly Father. So, let us go forth, as children of God, and make peace!

by April Karli