Key Verse: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.” (Matthew 5:9 CSB)
Back in 1948, the United Nations launched their first official peacekeeping mission in response to a ceasefire that had occurred in the Middle East. These types of missions continue to this day around the world. Sadly, you don’t have to look very far to find conflict between people. It happens on all levels, including between Christians. Peacemaking, whether between nations or individuals, remains a prevalent need.
Jesus tells us then in Matthew 5:9 that to know and follow God includes a commitment to being a peacemaker. To be a peacemaker means to be actively pursuing the reconciliation and restoration of relationships that have been broken.
So what does that look like? To start, being a peacemaker involves the pursuit of peace on a horizontal level. Peacemakers seek reconciliation in relationships with others. In Romans 12:18, the Apostle Paul exhorts us, “If possible, as far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all” (Romans 12:18). While relational peace with others may not always be possible, often it is. Our responsibility is to do our part to make peace with one another, regardless of how others choose to respond. James tells us that, “a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace” (James 3:18). Much good can come as we seek to be peacemakers on a horizontal level.
To be a peacemaker though also has an important vertical element. The incredible good news available to all will receive it by faith is that we can “have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 5:1). Where there was once a dividing wall of hostility between God and us, Jesus Christ is our now our peace. Through His sacrifice for us on the cross, we can now experience relational peace with God.
A huge part of being a peacemaker is pointing others to Jesus so that they can experience this kind of peace for themselves with God. As the Apostle Paul puts it, “We are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making his appeal through us. We plead on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God” (2 Corinthians 5:20). This is the ministry of reconciliation and of peace that has been entrusted to us by Christ.
What does being a peacemaker look like in your life today? What practical steps can you take today to pursue reconciliation in relationships at both a horizontal and vertical level? This is part of what it means to be a son or daughter of God!
Prayer: Jesus, you are the Prince of Peace. Thank you for making peace possible for me with God through what you did on the cross. Show me what it specifically looks like to follow in your footsteps today by being a peacemaker with those around me. Amen.
Author: Jonathan Miller has served in pastoral roles for more than 13 years in churches in Barrie, Oakville and Burlington, Ontario. He currently serves as the Chief Operating Officer at Prison Fellowship Canada, a ministry that mobilizes and equips local churches to engage in the restorative work of prisoners, ex-prisoners, their families, and victims across Canada. Jon holds degrees from McMaster University and Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. He and his wife Adrienne have been married since 2004, and live in Burlington, Ontario with their 4 children. Jon’s greatest passion is to know Jesus and to see lives transformed by Him and for Him.
