The Peacemakers
“Blessed are the peacemakers,
For they shall be called sons of God” (Matthew 5:9).
The Lord is the Great Peacemaker. Isaiah describes Immanuel in the following words:
For unto us a Child is born,
Unto us, a Son is given;
And the government will be upon His shoulder.
And His name will be called Wonderful, Counsellor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6).
After being healed of muteness, Zacharias, the father of John the Baptist, was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied of the coming Christ. He ended with the words:
“Through the tender mercy of our God,
With which the Dayspring from on high has visited us;
To give light to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death,
To guide our feet into the way of peace” (Luke 1:78-79).
The Lord’s birth was heralded by angels, saying,
“Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” (Luke 2:14).
The Lord dispensed peace wherever He went. In Mark chapters 4 and 5 we see this ministry so clearly. The wind is rebuked and He speaks to the sea, “Peace, be still!” – nature is at peace (Mark 4:39). Legion is set free from the power of Satan and is found sitting, clothed and in his right mind – a man is at peace (Mark 5:15). The diseased woman who could not be cured was healed, and the Lord said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace” – a woman was at peace (Mark 5:34). Jairus’ daughter was raised from the dead: “Little girl, I say to you, arise” – a family was at peace (Mark 5:41). The Saviour intervenes in our circumstances and in our lives to bring peace.
Before going to the cross, the Lord Jesus gave His peace to His disciples (John 14:27). Upon the cross, He imparts peace to the heart of a dying thief: “Today you will be with me in Paradise” (Luke 23:43). In resurrection, He appears in His disciples’ midst with the words, “Peace to you” (John 20:26). We have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 5:1). We can know the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, and we can know the God of peace (Philippians 4:7,9).
Given this incredible manifestation of God’s peace in Christ, why would “the peace of God” not rule in our hearts (Colossians 3:15)? Why would we not be “at peace among (our)selves” (1 Thessalonians 5:13)? Why would we not “pursue righteousness faith, love and peace”? (2 Timothy 2:22). Why would we not be “peaceable, gentle, showing humility to all men”? (Titus 3:2). And why would we not be peacemakers and never be known as troublemakers?
I recall the story of a Christian who decided to get fit and joined the gym at a boxing club. The boxing trainer at the gym had a fierce temper. One day the trainer completely lost his temper and flew into a fit of rage. The Christian went across to him and put a hand on his shoulder and simply said, “You need the peace of Christ in your heart.” Not long afterwards the man found “peace with God”. The Great Peacemaker has made us the children of God. Let us walk through this new day, grounded in the gospel of peace, witnessing to it and ready to be peacemakers.
