Everyday Beatitudes

God blesses those who work for peace,
for they will be called the children of God

Working for peace, finally something the disciples on the mountain thought they understood. Peace was usually a fleeting condition during this time. The Roman Empire ruled most of the known world and as long as Rome collected their taxes and maintained their military presence they pretty much let the various local leaders take care of everything else. This generally meant that each village, town or city had its own leadership and often times squabbled with surrounding settlements over territorial issues
I would guess the disciples thought about this Beatitude the same way I have over the years. For many years as I skimmed through this one in particular, just trying to get through the contradictions this sermon contained, I only considered one meaning. I thought Jesus was only telling us to work toward peace between governmental entities. I realized I did not have a lot of influence on warring nations or even adjoining states, I thought Jesus simply meant for me to support the U.N. or NATO in their efforts to keep the peace. To not make me look so stupid I'm going to assume the disciples were thinking the same way that day so long ago.

Since my hair turned grey I decided Jesus meant something altogether different. When you read and study this one in the context of the other Beatitudes it must be considered in a different way than you first think. My Bible's dictionary defines: "peace(ful), calm repose; free of strife or discord; harmony in personal relationship, especially with God". Now as you can see this definition does not mention warring factions. It speaks of a much more personal condition individuals can attain and work to create in others.

Jesus is telling us to work for this 'peace', or as it appears in other translations to become 'peace makers', in order to become 'children of God'. Now that we have narrowed the scope of 'making peace' down to something personal and away from warring nations status what does it mean? I think Jesus is directing us to seek out and proactively work with people in our lives to build a peace with God. Again not unlike the last three of the Beatitudes we have looked at, Jesus is again challenging us to reach out to others, both Christian and non-Christian to 'work' with them in finding 'peace'.

Where do we find those people we are instructed to bring this 'peace' to by Jesus in this centuries old sermon? We probably need look no further than our neighborhood or our own home. In our world today the person with the 'peace' Christ talks about is a rare find. In this country both Christians and non-Christians are being push to the very limits of their sanity by events they seem to have no control over. Literally millions of good, hard working families and individuals are facing the loss of their jobs, foreclosures and financial devastation. These souls are tormented day and night by the realities of our economy and the seemingly hopelessness of the situation they find themselves in today. Millions more are struggling with sickness and death of love ones or even themselves. Families continue to suffer the effects of our continuing wars and the absence and even loss of loved ones and friends.

Jesus is telling us to take his message of love, of hope, of salvation and eternal life to those we know that seemingly have no peace. By our lives and our concern those without 'peace' may find it. By our testimony in action those torn by all the external forces of the world today may find a degree of peace only Jesus can give.

How many people do you know that have lost a business or job in the past few months? How many have relatives or friends that are seriously ill and facing death? How many have sons or relatives serving in war torn places? Would a visit from you or a kind word and assurance of your concern and continued prayer for them bring any peace at this time. Jesus is again making us realize we are a part of something much larger than ourselves.

Making peace is no more than sharing the love God lavishes on us with others. God, through Jesus, is simply telling us that his love is sufficient to share. Find a brother or sister that is torn and ravaged with the burdens of life and share God's love and consolation. We will become God's ambassador on a peace-making mission to God's children wherever they may be.

God blesses those who work for peace,
for they will be called the children of God