Abiding at the Feet of Jesus | A Look at the BeatitudesExemplo

The essence of a peacemaker is one who accepts the sacred responsibility to diffuse grace and truth into every situation and to offer the power of the Prince of Peace. 

I believe that there is something in everyone’s heart that aches for peace. We all desire deep inner peace, quiet confidence, and a sense of security. A lack of this peace chips away at the human mind. Its absence wears us down. Life without peace in our homes, work, and churches is draining.

This Savior who is called the “Prince of Peace” came into our world to answer one of the fundamental issues which every human being faces: How can we find real peace for the inner person? We’ve been learning that this soul rest is reserved for the broken—peace comes to those who have mourned their sin. It is embraced by people who hunger and thirst for God’s righteousness. Paul puts it this way in Romans 5:1 “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Here’s an interesting thing, though, the text we are dealing with doesn’t talk about those who have peace, but rather about the peacemakers—those who bring peace. So, here is my question: What is a peacemaker? Let’s find the answer by looking at what peacemaking is not. 

Peacemaking isn’t avoidance. There are many twisted ideas about peacemaking. When I hear the term peacemaker being used, the image that immediately springs to mind is that of someone who’s responsible for changing the subject the moment something controversial comes up. I think of a mother distracting a whiny toddler with a toy or a man who prefers to “go with the flow” rather than stand up to a friend making inappropriate comments. So often, the prescribed way to keep peace is to ignore the problem. No one deals with the real issues when they embrace this kind of behavior. 

Worldly peace can simply mean an absence of conflict. This is not true peace. This is not the peace that Christ gives. It is the worldly, external, counterfeit version of peace better known as avoidance. Jesus wants to go to the heart and deal with the real issues. Anything that fails to get to the truth and resolve the problem is not peace. 

Peacemakers are exactly the opposite of what I previously assumed. They do not appease and avoid conflict at all cost. Rather, they move into it with courage to resist, confront, disagree, and obey God in order to achieve real peace. 

Jesus often called the religious leaders’ hypocrites. Why did He make such a harsh statement if He wanted peace? Because Jesus knew that real peace can’t happen without honesty. It isn’t based on feeling good, being popular, or never stepping on toes. It is born of loving truthfulness. 

Did Jesus love the Pharisees? Yes, He loved them deeply. Jesus loved the Pharisees and knew what was in their souls, because He was God. While His words seem harsh to us, Jesus knew what the Pharisees needed to hear and He didn’t shy away from uncovering the truth. 

When we are willing to confront problems like that, it changes the location of the conflict. It moves it from inside the heart and puts it outside in the open. When we ignore the problem, we have fake peace outside and a raging war on the inside.

You will be identified as a child of God when you are a peacemaker. Let that sink in for a minute. Blessed are those who bring the ministry of peace, healing, forgiveness, grace, and reconciliation to a lost and dying world. 

Peacemakers will bring light to where darkness once was. They will speak truth where lies once lived. They will bring reality and holiness where hypocrisy once ruled. They will deliver grace where legalism was the rule. These are the things that Jesus did. When we are peacemakers, we are counted as God’s children. What a heavy responsibility—and what an incredible privilege!

Questions to Journal: 

1. Journal your thoughts about what you thought a peacemaker was before studying the beatitudes. How has this been challenged? 

2. What is the difference between a peacemaker and a peace keeper? 

3. When is it hard for you to confront a problem? When is it hard for you to be gentle in your approach? How can you be a peacemaker for someone who needs to unburden their heart about a wrong done to them?