In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus gave what we call "the Beatitudes." "Beatitude" refers to that which is "beatific" -- that which is blissfully happy. "Beatitude" refers to supreme blessedness. So Jesus laid out those who are supremely blessed -- the poor in spirit, those who mourn, the gentle, those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, the merciful, the pure in heart, peacemakers, the persecuted ... wait ... go back ... peacemakers?
"Blessed are the peacemakers," Jesus said, "for they shall be called sons of God" (Matt 5:9). That's interesting. Being called "sons of God" is a supreme blessing. And not everyone gets it. If you are not a peacemaker, don't count on it. Not everyone gets called a son of God. So it would be important to know just what is this thing called "peacemaker"?
In classical Greek it referred to an ambassador sent on a mission to make peace. The text in Matthew suggests someone who is a "peace-worker" -- someone who works at making peace. In Jesus's terms, it would include both working at peace between people who are in conflict with each other -- either two other people or the peacemaker and someone else who is conflict with them -- as well as people who are in conflict with God -- making peace person to person and peace between a person and God.
So, it begs the question. Peacemakers are those who actively pursue peace; peace between people and peace with God. A ministry of reconciliation, if you will. Would you classify yourself as someone who does that, or are you more of the type that likes to stir the pot, poke the bear, ruffle feathers, disturb the waters? (We sure have a lot of metaphors for making trouble, don't we?) Are you one aiming to be included in being called "sons of God" or not? Are you a troublemaker or a peacemaker? I guess that would all depend on whether or not you want to be one of those who are supremely blessed.
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