Matthew 5:9 9Blessed are the peacemakers, because they shall be called sons of God.
Peacemaker (eirēnpoioi) is a compound of two words and means someone who does things to bring about reconciliation, resolve disagreements, creates a calm and peaceful situation, or gives purpose in the chaos that results in the well-being of others. Peace is an important word in the Bible that describes having everything in its proper place so that there is rest, wholeness and happiness. Being a peacemaker may require us to be in the middle of disagreements and friction, not as a cause of these, but to resolve them with peace, wholeness, and restoration. A peacemaker seeks to bring happiness and harmony to relationships. Peacemakers do not just sit passively by but make need to take the initiative to work for peace.
Jesus calls his followers to peace (Colossians 3:15). When we find peace, we find Jesus because he is our peace (Ephesians 2:14). He is the prince of peace and his kingdom is one of peace (Isaiah 9:6). The way to experience peace is to seek kingdom priorities. God gives peace through the Holy Spirit (Romans 15:13), but we must pursue it as his children (Hebrews 12:14).
Sin brings the brokenness that peace can resolve. God desires for us to be at peace, but sin distorts this by its empty promises and deception. The test of our peace is when we have to deal with enemies or difficult people. When God brings peace to our lives, everything about us begins to be peaceful. Peace results from God’s reign in our hearts as king. Some situations are easy to bring peace into, such as working with friendly and pleasant people.
Making peace usually involves a cost. We may have to forego our plans, set aside our agendas, or sacrifice something important to us. That is the way of the cross. The cross meant suffering for Jesus, but it resulted in peace with God. The peace that Jesus brought cost him his life. As we take up our own crosses, we may be called to suffer in order to bring peace to others.
Jesus does not say who calls peacemakers the children of God. The verb shall be called (klēthēsontai) is future passive with not stated subject. There are two primary possibilities. One could be other people. A peacemaker develops a reputation. People begin to notice how this person lives. Being a peacemaker is a powerful way to testify to one’s faith in God. The other possibility is that God calls makers of peace his children because they model his character. As Jesus’ followers, we are ambassadors of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:20) and bring his peace to the world. We become the sons and daughters of God in imitation of Jesus, the Son of God.
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