Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God, Matthew 5:9, NRSV.
We reside in a live-and-let-live world. “You do your thing, and I’ll do mine,” we say. It’s an insipid, indifferent way to live, totally without any brotherly concern or investment.
Jesus’ congratulatory assessment of those who have a peacemaking orientation to the world around them shows his disregard for those who don’t care about peacemaking. Congratulations are called for anytime a person feels invested in the well-being of a neighbor. It takes no character or courage to sigh wistfully for the well being of the world. It is quite another thing to take up a protest sign, boycott an evil business, advocate for a family, and share what you have with others.
William Barclay said that peacemaking, in this case, is never satisfied with only the absence of trouble. Rather, peacemaking means doing what is for another person’s highest good. It is an act that is intentional, personal, and totally for the good of others.
A distinction must be made between a peace-lover and a peace-maker. A peace lover might say, “I wish that my community treated minority people with respect.” A peace maker would actively do things that contribute to giving respect to everyone in the community. Peace making is courageous and determined as opposed to peace loving which makes no difference in the world and is actually cowardly.
Abraham showed peacemaking when he allowed Lot to choose which land he wanted to settle in. In fact, “Abram said to Lot, “Let’s not allow this conflict to come between us…. The who countryside is open to you. Take your choice of any section of the land you want, and we will separate.” Genesis 13:1-9.
In the New Testament, Dorcas was a peacemaker. She went about the thankless job of sewing clothing for poor widows and others. A whole community of people were gathered silently and lovingly by Dorcas’ work of peacemaking.
Peacemaking has a notable similarity to love, as defined in the Bible. Both qualities have an intentional, others oriented nature to them. Peacemaking does not sit around but has a caring and active relationship with others.
Prayer:
Father in Heaven, you have shown us how to pursue peace in our relationships and how to love other people even when we find them unlovable. May we be people who are actively involved in our world, never sitting on the sidelines. May we find ways to bring peace and show love, spontaneously and intentionally. In Jesus’ name. Amen.