Peacemakers

 Matthew 5:9 ESV

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.


The world is plagued by wars and rumours of wars. Israel, Gaza, Sudan, Iran, Ukraine and Russia have all experienced war recently. Even the UK experiences riots and criminal violence on the streets.

Jesus was speaking into a situation where the Roman Empire was occupying Israel and oppressing the Jewish people. One of his hearers was Simon the Zealot, who wanted to kick the Romans out. Jesus insisted that we should be peacemakers.

It doesn't take much effort to start a fight. It requires resolve to make peace. As Solomon said, 'when a man's ways are pleasing to the Lord, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him'.

The promise is that if we make peace, we will be called children of God. It's not that making peace earns us the right to be called children of God. It's that a characteristic of God's children is that we are peacemakers.

'Heavenly Father, please help us to be peacemakers and adopt us into your family. In Jesus' name we pray, amen'.

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