The Beatitudes
“Blesséd are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.” Matthew 5:9 (1)
Fighting; warfare; violence on the streets; assassinations; school shootings; turmoil; death. Even in the wombs of mothers, there is violence. 1,032,100 babies were killed in 2023.
So, what are you going to do about it? “Who? Me? What can I do?” Actually, you are doing it, for Jesus is talking about you when He says,“Blesséd are the peacemakers.” Self-analysis might lead you to doubt this. Sins do not define a Christian. At heart, Christians are peacemakers.
This begins at the baptismal font, where God made peace with us. This couldn’t have happened if it were not for the Prince of Peace. God’s own Son became man and stepped into the world filled with conflict with God and with each other. It began in Eden, where Adam blamed Eve and God for his own sin. Ever since, people have been blaming God and each other for their own failures.
In spite of this (or because of it), the God of peace rushed in to make peace. The Seed of the woman would crush Satan and deliver the rebels. Four thousand years later on Calvary, the Prince of Peace endured our punishment, thereby satisfying the just anger of God (propitiation). God has been pacified.
“Behold, on the mountains the feet of him who brings good tidings, who proclaims peace!” (Nahum 1:15) From Christ’s empty tomb, the Gospel of peace went out into all the world. Even at this moment, peace is being proclaimed to you, the reader. Moreover, it is not a passive proclamation. It is an active, powerful message, reaching into and transforming you, creating faith in your heart.
“Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Romans 5:1) Faith makes this peace ours. All is well between God and us. Nothing more needs to be added. So it is that we begin our trek along the only way of peace, which leads us to eternal peace.
“Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace always in every way. The Lord be with you all.” Amen. (2 Thessalonians 3:16)