THE BEATITUDES (continued)
This seventh of the Eight Beatitudes is one that appears simple on first look but is really rather complex in that it involves both our inward and our outward attitude and expression.
◊Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. Who is a peacemaker? What makes one a peacemaker? And what is a peacemaker? Are three questions that come to mind and we will get to them.
First, let us remember that this is a saying from the Master Jesus and that the reward of it is in being blessed and being called children of God. Some in the modern church like to divide between sons of God and children of God with the difference being that sons are the more mature as Christians. There is however no basis for this in the gospels as Jesus Himself calls His disciples children (Mark 10:24) with Mark using the Greek word teknon which is generally translated child(ren). In the Beatitude verse in question the Greek word translated as children is huios which is generally translated as son in the KJV. In this verse then sons and children are interchangeable. I mention this here so that there is no confusion regarding what we are called as peacemakers. If Jesus then calls peacemakers sons of God, then there must be some meaning to what He says. Note that He does not say that we become sons or children as peacemakers because He has already established the fact of the Fatherhood of God; that we are all His children.
So what is it, being called sons or children of God? As stated at the outset, there is both an inward and an outer expression of peacemaker. Inwardly, when we are living in the peace of the Lord, in His Presence, in the Kingdom, we are at peace with ourselves and we abide in His words. Abiding in His words then includes doing or acting according to His way which is the summation of resist not evil, turn the other cheek, forgive, reconcile to thy brother, agree with thine adversary quickly, let your communication be yea or nay, love your neighbor and many other sayings which bring us to an outward expression of peace flowing from within. Now if our outer expression is peace then we are peacemakers and if we act as above, as a child of god, we will be seen and known as such and also called children of God.
There is another aspect of peacemaker that will follow if we are truly acting as Jesus instructed us. We would than we would outwardly support peace and the prospects for peace throughout the world. Recognizing that conflicts do come and that even the most Christian of peoples have conflicts, it should still be our duty to promote peace and to support efforts to peace and to support those things that can resolve conflicts. Today it seems that peace is not registering as a Christian value. Comments abound that Christ will bring the peace when He returns. Some Christians in seemingly promote war and conflict as they oppose resolution to the Israel/Palestine issues while supporting Israel because somewhere they were called His chosen people in the Old Testament. Some lean to Jesus statements regarding Himself when He says “Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword” (Matthew 10:34) and “Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division” (Luke 12:51) believing them to say that He did bring a sword and not peace. This is, of course, a sword of division and these verses cannot be taken out of context. Both of them speak to what happens in families and in houses where one may come to believe and others not believe and there be division. All things that are contrary to peace are contrary to Jesus’ teaching. Jesus teaching is clearly peace and love for if we do His word, peace is the natural outcome and this Beatitude shows the importance of peace and the peacemaker to the Master
In Jesus’ time on Earth His nation was under Roman rule; generally, there was peace except for the occasional uprising in revolt of the ruling empire. He never advised or suggested that the Jews try to revolt to gain freedom, He just gave them His teaching and gave them the reasons why they should accept it and follow it. World peace was not an issue. Today it is an issue and if we live our lives in accordance with the precepts of the gospels then we are promoting peace and we can be peacemakers by our attitudes and by our example.
So what is a peacemaker? According to Webster’s he is One who makes peace by reconciling parties that are at variance*. While this is good, it is unlikely Jesus intent that we should step in to resolve variances and issues lest we ourselves become an issue. Invited, we may act this way but uninvited could be an invitation to disaster. In this context, promoting peace should suffice. The Greek Lexicon says about peacemaker: a peacemaker; pacific, loving peace** (with pacific meaning: Peace-making; conciliatory; suited to make or restore peace; adapted to reconcile differences; mild; appeasing*). Some of this is in line with our statements above while ‘suited to restore’ and ‘adapted to reconcile’ would not likely be in Jesus usage of this word. Strong’s concordance has a similar definition that reads one who restores peace and reconciliation between persons and even nations***. All of these definitions that include direct action to restore peace between persons or groups are the technical definition while peace loving and pacific bring forth a different context which is inward to ourselves as are the terms mild and appeasing and loving peace.
Can we substitute the promotion of peace and the desire for peace for the direct action of getting in the middle of a fray? I think we can; I don’t think that Jesus would want us in the middle of another’s argument. Then who is a peacemaker and what makes one a peacemaker? A peacemaker is one who has that inward peace that comes from being in His Presence and striving to enter into the Kingdom and who, as much as is in him, expresses that peace through his thoughts and actions daily while maintaining an attitude of desiring peace and promoting efforts to peace.
Do these things and you will been seen as a son of God by others and in this be called a child of God. Knowing the nature of man and the world, the Apostle wrote these words: “If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men” (Romans 12:18) and according to these words, we should live.
Note on the Quote of the Day
This daily blog also has a Quote of the Day which may not be in any way related to the essay. Many of these will be from the Bible and some just prayers or meditations that may have an influence on you and are in line with the subject matter of this blog. As the quote will change daily and will not store with the post, it is repeated in this section with the book reference and comment.
Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth , give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled , neither let it be afraid (John 14:27). When Christ Jesus says that He leaves us peace; gives us peace then we should know that it is the Peace of God and if we have this peace, we definitely should share it with the world.
- * Websters Revised Unabridged Dictionary, 1828 and 1913
- ** from praus New Testament Greek Lexicon on BibleStudyTools.com
- *** Strongest Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible – 2001
- *!* Dictionary.com Unabridged based on Random House Dictionary – 2011
