Matthew 5:9
Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
How do you understand this verse?
I have always rather skimmed over it - I have simply thought that people who try to make or keep the peace will be blessed by God for their efforts.
But as we linger over this verse it starts to tell us so much more.
Firstly, this word 'children'. My study Bible suggests it could also read 'sons' (or daughters). It is speaking of a close relationship with God.
A family tie.
Strong's concordance tells us that primarily this word is used to stress how someone so strongly resembles the essence or quality of another that the difference between them is hard to distinguish.
When Jesus uses this word here it is referring to the disciples making a quality of God known from their behaviour.
Has anyone ever said to you, "Oh I can see whose son/daughter you are! You're just like your Mum/Dad"?
This person can see the family likeness - probably in your features, but also in your mannerisms, voice, posture or some other way.
Can anybody look at us and our behaviour and see our 'resemblance' to God?
What a privilege if somebody is able to recognise that you are a child of God by your behaviour and character - not because it shows what a good job you are doing of being a Christian - but because of God's gracious condescension and mercy in so working in you and making his character shine through you.
In what way might people notice our 'family likeness' to God?
Well, in this verse Jesus is speaking of peacemakers. What then, we ask, is this peace and what does a peacemaker do?
In our family worship this morning we read of Solomon, whose name means 'peaceful'.
God told Solomon's father, King David, that in contrast to David who had spent most of his reign in wars and battles, Solomon would have rest from his enemies and peace and quietness in his kingdom during his reign (1 Chronicles 22:9)
So peace, perhaps somewhat obviously, is a rest or absence from conflict - a quietness.
It immediately reminds me of one of Jesus' titles, 'The Prince of Peace' (Isaiah 9:6). Jesus is the ultimate peacemaker. How do we see this in his life?
Firstly, I think of the words of the angels when Jesus was born, 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth, peace, good will towards men' (Luke 1:14).
Jesus was making peace between God and his people. He was bringing 'reconciliation'.
God, who is holiness and perfection, who cannot abide sin, would now be able to accept his sinful people because of the perfect life Jesus was going to live in their place; the sacrifice he was making both in life and then in death, bearing the sins of his people and the great wrath of God; to be a covering and substitute for us, so that God can accept us.
What greater work of peace can be wrought than this!
Secondly, in another work of reconciliation Jesus has made peace between Jews and 'Gentiles' (non-Jews).
In Old Testament times the Jews were God's special chosen people; their privileges were maintained in the keeping of the laws and customs which God told Moses to teach the people.
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But now, in perfectly fulfilling all the requirements of the law through his own life Jesus has opened up the way to God to non-Jews through himself and thus united Jews and non-Jews: 'For he (Jesus) is our peace, who hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make of himself of twain one new man, so making peace; and that he might reconcile both unto God...' (Ephesians 2:14-16).
Thirdly, I think of the literal peace Jesus made when he stilled the stormy seas and wind, and when he stilled the fears of his disciples' hearts.
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Fourthly, Jesus exhorted his disciples to be peacemakers instead of arguing about who was going to be the greatest, 'Have salt in yourselves, and have peace one with another' (Mark 9:50).
The Apostle Paul emulated Jesus' teachings when he urged believers to 'Follow peace with all men, and holiness (Hebrews 12:14); 'If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men' (Romans 12:18); '...endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace' (Ephesians 4:3).
The Apostle Peter likewise exhorted believers to '...seek peace and ensue it' (pursue peace), which followed his exhortations to be compassionate, loving, polite, tender hearted, and shunning evil but doing good (1 Peter3:11).
How can we be like Jesus and bring about reconciliation between people, and quietness and peace in our circumstances and in our lives?
How can we be as Paul exhorts and keep peace in our churches and live peaceably?
How can we be as Peter urges and purposefully aim for and pursue peace?
We have our natural gifts of character which God has given us and we should prayerfully strive to use them to the best of our abilities to bring about reconciliation and avoid conflict. But as believers we have also been given a peace, 'the peace of God, which passeth all understanding' (Philippians 4:7).
This peace is that which Jesus told his disciples, 'Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you'....'these things have I spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace' (John 14:27, 16:33).
This peace 'keeps' (or guards) our 'hearts and minds through Christ Jesus' (Philippians 4:7), the Prince of Peace.
This peace is a peace which transcends all others.
It is the peace of Jesus - for it is his Spirit, living within you.
It lives deep within the heart of a believer. It is the peace which enables you not to angrily have your revenge on that person who has been unkind to you; you rest in the knowledge that God is in control, that he will avenge the wicked in his time.
It is the peace which enables you to instead return unkindness with kindness - because you have received no less from your dear loving, and forgiving Saviour.
It is the deep peace which enables you to move calmly through the troubles all about you in your home and in your workplace, in the traffic hold-ups and on the busy tube.
You rest in the peace of knowing that your Heavenly Father is in control and knows all things. You rest in his love for you and his goodness to you.
Are you always like this?
Will you appear to be the essence of peace and calmness to all those around you?
No, dear friend - you will have times when you fail, your temper flares, angry words are said, conflict arises.
Times when you feel anxious, stressed and worried.
But you will return to your Saviour for forgiveness and strength. You will look to him and return to him to be again filled with his peace, to remind you of his love, to lean on him, that you might again take those steps in life to follow after and make peace, that those around you might sense the difference and know that you are a child of God.
So that, as Jesus exhorted his disciples, you have 'salt in yourselves '- salt which has savour and effect to those around you.
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