The Importance of Peacemakers
Matthew 5:9
INTRODUCTION
Though America is a peace-loving nation, our nation and world have known little peace. The terrorist attack on New York and Washington, D. C. in September of 2001-and the long war on terror that resulted, is evidence of how quickly peace can escape us. America was not bothering anyone, but terrorists infiltrated our country and destroyed our peace and sense of safety.
This search for peace has been going on since time immortal. Many long for peace in their lives and peace in the world. The famous answer of beauty contest participants when asked what they want is, “World Peace.” Witness the number of people who take their lives, have continual marital or other family problems, visit psychologists, psychiatrists or counselors, and we can readily determine that there is a lack of peace in many people’s lives.
Though the crime rate is falling in some areas and in some states, the crime rate is still enormously high. Prisons are full and overcrowded which leads to criminals being released early or even avoiding jail time. There is a great deal of instability in our country and world.
Some years ago a major newspaper reported that since 36 years prior to Christ and until 1968 there had been 14,553 known wars. Since 1945, there have been 70 or more wars and some 200 outbreaks of violence. In our own country, we have fought a Civil War, two world wars, a Korean War, a Vietnam War and a Persian Gulf War. We are now fighting an elusive war with terrorists. In 1992/93, we watched warlords starve the people of Somalia. As much as we desire peace, it seems to continually escape our grasp.
While many people want peace, we seem to live in a society that applauds violence. I admire the reaction to the 2001 terrorist bombing in America, but I fear that many did not think much about it because we are so desensitized to violence. We live with it as a way of life. We see it on the television and on movies. The more violence the show contains, the better we like it and the more Americans watch it. Violent video games make good sellers.
The ancient Romans did not think much of meekness or having a gentle spirit. We too seem to think like that in spite of the fact that it is highly praised by God. We like the picture of the tough, rugged individual who takes nothing from anyone. We have promoted a selfish, cruel and aggressive attitude, and we are reaping the consequences.
Yet Jesus teaches that peace is to be our pursuit. He wants us to pursue peace and to be peacemakers. It is a further step we must take if we are to know true happiness in life.
God’s Word gives a picture of peace at the very beginning and at the very end. In the Garden of Eden, the first humans lived in a very peaceful environment. When we look at the end as it is described in the Book of Revelation, we find that the end of time will again signal a time of peace. But in the in between times, there will be wars and violence. There is no peace because of sin in the world and because of sin in people’s lives.
Jesus reminds us that we must be peacemakers not peace takers. This is not accomplished by trying to escape the world. We can’t do that. It is accomplished by confronting these difficult situations and looking for peaceful solutions. As we try to bring outward peace, we also demonstrate to others the inner peace we have found in Christ.
UNDERSTAND JESUS’ MEANING OF PEACE
We have already studied the need of having a righteous lifestyle. When we live according to that dictate we will find and bring this peace that Christ speaks of. We must strive for the goodness of Christ to characterize our lives.
Jews greet others with the word “shalom.” It carries the idea that individuals have all the peace and goodness that God can give them. So when Jesus tells us to be peacemakers, he is telling us to establish love and harmony between individuals. He wants us to be involved in resolving wrong attitudes and actions.
The writer of Hebrews said, “Make every effort to live in peace with all people and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.” (12:14)
Peace can only result in our lives and between others and us when our lives are characterized by the holiness of God. Otherwise, we will stir up strife and react with vengeance and retaliation. We can only imagine what a greater measure of peace would result in our world if all our leaders were first of all Christians and then if they understood Jesus’ meaning of being peacemakers. This Beatitude builds on the previous one. Only as we are pure in heart can we be peacemakers. Only then will we see the need of being peacemakers.
Now we must temper this meaning by saying that Christ is not speaking of peace at any price. Jesus teaches us to be peacemakers, and he gives us a personal example of how to do that, but he also said on one occasion that he came not to bring peace but division. (Matthew 10:34) We cannot compromise evil with good to bring peace. It is not acceptable to overlook evil if it will result in peace. The means do not always justify the ends. Peace must come on God’s terms not ours. So we try to make peace but not at any price.
The great enemy of peace is sin and the many ways it is manifested in people’s lives. This is what causes turmoil and division. The absence of sin is the reason the final state of Christians will again be one of peace. As peacemakers, we cannot truly offer peace to others without first of all making them aware of the need to make peace with God. This is the prerequisite of having peace in our own lives and being able to live at peace with others. The precursor to peace then is to disrupt and disturb by pointing out to people how all humanity has offended God by sinning.
Jesus’ encounter with the Samaritan woman gives us a good example to follow. The Jews hated the Samaritans because they were a mixed race. Since there was no love between them neither was there peace. As Jesus went through the region of Samaria, he made an attempt to make peace with a Samaritan woman. The focal point, however, was on what basis and terms this peace could be established. Jesus confronted her with her spiritual need first of all. When she accepted him as her Savior, peace resulted in her life and as a result she could be at peace with others.
An old Chinese proverb captures the essence of the Beatitude: “If there is righteousness in the heart, there will be beauty in the character. If there is beauty in the character, there will be harmony in the home. If there is harmony in the home, there will be order in the nation. When there is order in the nation, there will be peace in the world.”
KNOW THE MAKER OF PEACE
The one who brings peace to a person’s life and then between that person and others is God. The lack of peace in our world and lives is really a lack of God. When a person has no God, they have no peace. As the sign says; “Know God, know peace. No God, no peace.”
So to have peace in our personal lives and then with others, we must have a relationship with God through faith in Jesus Christ. He reconciles individuals to God and then to others. He is the way to the Father, and without him there is no peace. He can lead us to peaceful relations with folks we never thought we could get along with. He is our mediator and great high priest. The shape of the cross itself shows the peace that was made possible with God and others. It was here that the righteousness of Christ overcame the problem of sin. Because of this great work, peace is now available.
When Jesus ascended back into heaven, he sent the Spirit of God who is the agent of peace. The Father is the source of peace, Jesus manifested that peace to us and the Spirit brings that peace in our lives. Only as we accept this can we hope to live at peace with others.
This peace that we can possess is unique. It is a peace that can be found even in turmoil. The things that happen around us should not affect the peace within us. Even after the terrible terrorist attacks, Christians remain at peace because we believe God is still in charge. It is a peace that passes all understanding and comprehension.
One has aptly said; “First keep thy self in peace, and then thou shalt be able to keep peace among others.”
WE MUST CARRY THE MESSAGE OF PEACE
There are at least four ways that we can be messengers of peace. First, as we have already mentioned, we must be at peace with God. Before we accept Christ as our Savior, the Bible says we are at enmity with him. Peace comes when the blood of Christ covers our sin.
Second, we must lead others to the peace of God. We can do this through a life of testimony to others about the grace of God. Rather than looking down on others, we should be concerned about their relationship with God. But for the grace of God, we might be where they are.
Third, we must lead others to make peace with their fellow human beings. Jesus said; “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.” (Matthew 5:23)
Finally, we must learn to find a point of agreement with others. Though many will reject our offer of peace through a relationship with Christ, this does not mean that we cannot have any peace at all with them. I have had friends, as I am sure many of you have, who have no relationship with Christ. We need to have some unsaved friends. Though we cannot compromise our beliefs, we can usually come to some point of agreement. Through our love and patience, they may eventually come to know the peace of God.
One has said of Christians that we “are to contend without being contentious, to disagree without being disagreeable, and to confront without being abusive.”
EXPERIENCE THE RESULTS OF BEING PEACEMAKERS
It is the duty of every Christian to be a peacemaker. If they are not, then they are not a Christian or they are living in disobedience. The first result is that we will be happy. It is much better and more enjoyable to live at peace with others rather than fight with them. We will also be called children of God. What a wonderful privilege that is.
Though there will not always be peace in the world, we can be at peace with God and others.
CONCLUSION
The peacemaker knows the meaning of peace, knows the maker of peace, carries the message of peace and experiences the results of peace.
Roger Maris broke the Major League record for homeruns in 1961 with 61 homers in a season, but few knew the pressure he suffered from. Later in the season, he held up a game in Detroit. He stepped back from the plate to watch a flock of geese pass over the right field seats. A whole game stopped because he wanted to look at geese. Refreshed, he stepped back to the plate and hit the ball over the right field seats where he had watched the geese. Years later he was asked about the incident. He replied; “I can still see those geese. Watching them was so peaceful.” Peace is sought in many things but found only in Jesus Christ.
