Peacemaking is More Than Being Nice

"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God." Matthew 5:9 (NIV)

"The incarnate Christ grew in wisdom (Lk. 2:40, 52) as a boy and astonished his audiences with his wisdom as a man (Mt. 13:54; Mk. 6:2). His claims included wisdom (Mt. 12:42) and a unique knowledge of God (Mt. 11:25ff.). Twice he personifies wisdom in a manner reminiscent of Proverbs: Mt. 11:19 (= Lk. 7:35) and Lk. 11:49 (Mt. 23:34ff.). In both passages, Christ may be alluding to himself as ‘Wisdom’." [1]

Beyond Being Nice

Our families are not always peaceful, so we need to become peacemakers in our homes.

Peacemaking is a hallmark of God’s children. Jesus is the supreme peacemaker who reconciles us to God through the cross.[i]

Biblically, “peace” means more than the absence of trouble. In this instance, “peace” echoes the Hebrew word Shalom—all that is good for a person. It involves actively engaging to bring reconciliation and healing, to establish peace. Being a peacemaker is more than being passive; it’s more than avoiding conflict. A peacemaker speaks the truth gently and in love.

Peacemakers do more than just live peaceful lives; they actively seek to “make peace” by entering into conflicts to bring reconciliation, to end bitterness and strife between warring parties.[ii] True peace is hard-won. We must apologize. We must gently confront. We must forgive.

Peacemakers are not always “nice” or “tolerant”; rather, they take the initiative no matter who is at fault to actively bring peace. A peacemaker apologizes first but also speaks the truth in love and addresses issues directly. Otherwise, there is no real peace; it’s just a façade—people smiling and covering over underlying problems.

How are you doing in being a peacemaker? Perhaps there is one person that the Spirit of God is bringing to your mind, a situation where you need to be a peacemaker. That’s what His followers do: make peace. And when we do, we will be “called children of God,” reflecting our Father, the greatest peacemaker.

How can you be a peacemaker this week in your home, in your family?

The Beatitudes are not a prescription for popularity. This isn’t a program for how to succeed in life, make friends, and influence them. This is about how to live for Jesus.

[1] Burnett, F. W. “Wisdom.” Ed. Joel B. Green and Scot McKnight. Dictionary of Jesus and the Gospels 1992: 876. Print.

[i]. Osborne, Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament: Matthew, 168.

[ii]. Scot McKnight, The Story of God Bible Commentary: Sermon on the Mount (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2013), 47.