Blessed are the peacemakers
Jesus blesses the peacemakers
Among the Beatitudes, Jesus pronounces a blessing on a particular kind of person: blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God. Not the peace-lovers or the peace-keepers, but the peace-makers — those who actively step into conflict to forge peace where there was none. And the honor is staggering: they bear the family resemblance of God himself, called his children.
Peacemaking is active and costly work. It is easy to love peace from a distance and avoid the messiness of conflict; it is far harder to wade in, to stand between warring parties, to absorb some of the tension yourself in order to reconcile others. But Jesus reserves a unique blessing for it, because in making peace a person does what God does — God is the great reconciler, and those who make peace reflect him. For a leader, this elevates the often-thankless work of reconciliation to one of the highest callings there is.
“The fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.”
— James, on the peacemakers' harvest — James 3:18 (WEB)
Peacemaking is active, costly work that reflects God himself. The blessing is on those who step into conflict to forge peace, not those who merely love or keep it.
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God.”
Jesus reserves a unique blessing for active peacemakers. A leader formed here wades into conflict to reconcile rather than avoiding the mess. The inner work is willingness to absorb tension for the sake of others’ peace.
Step into conflicts to forge peace rather than loving peace from a distance. Stand between warring parties and absorb some of the cost of reconciliation. Treat the thankless work of peacemaking as one of the highest callings.
Leaders love peace but avoid the messy work of making it, mistaking conflict-avoidance for peace. The blind spot is confusing keeping the peace with making it.
Identify a conflict you have been avoiding. This week, step in as a peacemaker to help forge reconciliation.
It is easy to love peace from a distance and avoid the messiness of conflict; it is harder to wade in and forge it. Jesus blesses the peace-makers, not the peace-lovers.
Are you a peacemaker who steps into conflict to forge peace, or only a peace-lover who avoids it?