(Matthew 5:9)
By Nick Bibile
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.”
This statement would have been shocking to the Jews of Jesus’ day. They expected the Messiah to be a mighty military king who would overthrow Rome and deliver them from bondage. But Jesus declared something entirely different. He reminded them: “My kingdom is not of this world” (John 18:36).
When we hear the word “peacemaker,” we might first think of someone who simply opposes war. After all, who truly wants war? Yet wars persist—why? Because of sin.
If a nation threatens to attack your homeland, you would naturally try every peaceful means to resolve the matter. But if that fails, you must defend your people. To be a peacemaker does not mean allowing evil to triumph or letting your country perish in the name of “peace.”
Jesus is not speaking of political negotiators or passive people who avoid justice. True peacemaking goes far deeper.
One Beatitude flows into another. A peacemaker is one who first possesses a pure, undivided heart. From that heart flows the peace of God.
Scripture calls Him “the God of peace” (Romans 15:33; 16:20; 1 Thess. 5:23; Heb. 13:20). Pagan nations worshipped gods of war, but our God is a God of peace.
The
angels declared at Christ’s birth:
“Glory
to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom He is
pleased!”
(Luke
2:14)
Originally, God’s creation was filled with peace—until rebellion was found in Lucifer. The Garden of Eden was peaceful—until sin entered through Adam and Eve. Ever since, humanity has been at war with God.
Paul explains: “The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God” (Romans 8:7). The natural man resists God’s commandments, walks in disobedience, and lives in enmity with Him.
But God, in His mercy, sent His Son Jesus Christ to reconcile us. At the cross, peace was purchased. When Christ enters a heart, hostility is removed, and love for God takes root. That is why Paul writes:
“Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Romans 5:1)
The peace of this world is fragile and temporary. But the peace of God is eternal, enduring even in trials and persecution. Jesus promised:
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” (John 14:27)
So who are the peacemakers Jesus blesses?
They are those who carry the message of reconciliation. They witness, evangelize, disciple, and bring souls estranged from God into everlasting peace through the gospel of Christ.
Paul describes it this way: “We are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.” (2 Cor. 5:20)
Every time we share the gospel, every time a sinner is reconciled to God, peace is made. This is the true work of peacemakers.
Jesus Himself was the ultimate Peacemaker. He left the glory of heaven and came to earth to establish peace between God and man. If He did so, how much more should we follow in His steps?
Jesus says peacemakers “shall be called sons of God.”
By nature, we are not children of God. We are born spiritually dead—DOA. Once slaves to sin, now through Christ we are adopted into God’s family.
Paul
writes:
“For
you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but
you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry,
‘Abba! Father!’”
(Romans
8:15)
Adoption is an act of sheer mercy, flowing from God’s heart of grace. An unbeliever may speak of God, but only the redeemed can call Him Father. The Spirit within us moves us to prayer, that intimate cry of a child to their Father.
Luther once said he prayed as though he were speaking to a close friend. Such is the intimacy of those adopted by grace.
John
reminds us with wonder:
“See
what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be
called children of God—and so we are!”
(1
John 3:1)
When our lives shine with Christ’s peace, even unbelievers may recognize it. There is a story of a hardened man who, after conversion, was mocked by his old friends. One day they threw soup in his face. Calmly wiping it off, he replied, “I am a Christian, and I must expect this.” His response showed them he was truly a child of God.
If you do not yet know Christ, you remain at enmity with God. But today, you can pray for Him to enter your heart, bring His peace, and adopt you into His family. Do not delay, for life is fragile. God in His mercy is patient, but judgment is real.
For believers, the call is clear: Be peacemakers. Build bridges, not walls. Smile, speak kindly, show Christ’s love, and share the gospel that brings eternal peace. Yes, the enemy will resist, but stand strong in the Lord. Tell the story of Jesus with boldness and love.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.