The Divine Reversals
Blessed Are The Peacemaker - Matthew 5:9
INTRODUCTION:
Of all the songs you’ve ever heard, which one brings about the most amount of peace?
CONTEXT:
Today’s beatitude is the third result of righteousness produced from a person who’s desire for
righteousness has been satisfied by God. They were made merciful, pure in their heart, and today
they are shown to be peacemakers. We’ve been reminded at every turn that these virtues to the
happy life cannot be produced outside of and without the help of God’s grace. These are not
dispositions to the “natural man” nor to a “non-Christian” person. These are works of grace in the
heart of a Christian, giving him the character of a disciple, a citizen of the Kingdom of Heaven.
TEXT:
Matthew 5:9 (ESV) — 9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.”
TEACHING:
You can readily see how the third beatitude relates to this one. The meek become peacemakers for
two reasons. First, the meek know that they are without merit. The meek stop promoting themselves,
stop grasping for privileges and recognition. When they stop demanding, peace tends to emerge, for
most strife stems from self-assertion. (Doriani pg 33) The second reason is because warring tribes
trust the meek to make peace between them. The meek aren’t seeking an advantage. They aren’t
asking, “Whose favor can I gain?” They are impartial, honest brokers. People trust the meek because
they are not angling for future favors.
The meek are the peacemakers and peacemakers are blessed because they shall be called sons of
God. True disciples have peace with God. This peace is the logical result of a healthy relationship
with the Lord through faith in Jesus Christ. Yet, even though disciples “possess” this peace, when it
comes to peace “making” there are more moving parts at play. The peacemaking process involves
several “willing” people. Sometimes it’s not possible to make peace. But it should be our aim. This is
why Paul tells the Christians as Rome, “As far as it depends on you, live at peace with
everyone.” (Rom 12:18)
Peace is more than absence of conflict. It is maturity and well-being, as God defines them. We may
need constructive conflict to achieve real peace. Insecurity and worry destroys peace.
Discontentment destroys peace. Envy destroys peace. Trying to read other people’s mind destroys
peace. Having peace with God means you can free yourself from the worry of lessor things (like what
other people are thinking!)
Peacemakers are not just “easy going people.” It’s not the person who says, “anything to avoid
trouble.” Often these kind of folks have a perverted sense of justice and righteousness. If these kind
of people ruled the world then the world would be much worse than it is now! The peacemaker is one
who is peaceable in his own spirit and seeks to produce peace in any situation that he can.
Peacemakers are consumed by seeing to it that people have peace with God and with each other.
Why are the peacemakers blessed? They’re blessed because they are absolutely so unlike
everybody else. They are people who stand out as being different from the rest of the world, and they
are different because they are the children of God. They have the eyes to see God because of their
pure hearts and they therefore have the necessary wisdom to bring about God’s peace in all things.
QUESTIONS:
1. The word translated peace harkens back to the Hebrew word “shalom.” What do you know about
this word? What are all of the factors that go into “peace” as Jesus means it?
2. When have you found yourself in the role of peacemaker?
3. What are some characteristics of a person who is a peacemaker?
4. Why would peacemakers be recognized as children of God?
5. If peacemakers are called “sons of God,” then fill in the following: “The hostile shall be called
___________. The angry shall be called __________The irritable shall be called __________.”
6. What is the difference between being a peacemaker and being conciliatory (easily placated or
pacified, likely to be a pushover)?
7. Discuss ways in which you can act as a peacemaker? What are the various methods of being a
peacemaker? How does take place given the various contexts in question 9?
8. The words peace and appeasement are not synonyms. For the peace of God is not peace at any
price. He made peace with us at immense cost: the price of the life-blood of his only Son. We too though in lesser ways - will find peacemaking a costly enterprise.
1. What are some of the costs of being a peacemaker?
2. What are some of the rewards of peacemaking?
3. Does peacemaking always establish harmony? Why or why not? Why do some refuse? What
do you do in those situations?
9. Consider each of the parts of your life listed below. Where do you see the need for reconciliation,
and what steps will you take to be a peacemaker in those situations?
1. Your marriage relationship?
2. Your family relationships?
3. Your relationships at church?
4. Your relationships at work or in your community?
5. Your relationships with the world community?
10. In which of the above areas do you feel called to begin working and praying for peace?
11. Praise the Lord with a thankful heart for dying for you and reconciling you to God. Pray for his
guidance in the steps you should take to become a peacemaker or to continue a peacemaking
process. Ask for wisdom so that you will neither shrink from the risks nor go the easy route of
appeasement.