Disciple Up # 208
A Disciple’s Identity Pt. 7: Blessed are the Peacemakers
By Louie Marsh, 4-28-2021
Blessed are the Peacemakers…
9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. Matthew 5:9 (ESV)
When you think of a peacemaker, what comes to mind? A diplomat trying to make peace between warring parties?
Or maybe it’s you trying keep the peace in your family between certain members who are always fighting
PEACEMAKER, pēsʹmāk-ẽr: Occurs only in the pl. (Mt 5:9, “Blessed are the peacemakers [eirēnopoioí]: for they shall be called sons of God” [who is “the God of peace”]). We have also what seems to be a reflection of this saying in Jas 3:18, “The fruit of righteousness is sown in peace for [RVm “by”] them that make peace” (toís poioúsin eirênēn)
In classical Gr a “peacemaker” was an ambassador sent to treat of peace. The word in Mt 5:9 would, perhaps, be better rendered “peace-workers,” implying not merely making peace between those who are at variance, but working peace as that which is the will of the God of peace for men
The peacemakers (οἱ εἰρηνοποιοί). Should be held to its literal meaning, peace-makers; not as Wyc., peaceable men. The founders and promoters of peace are meant; who not only keep the peace, but seek to bring men into harmony with each other. Tynd. renders, the maintainers of peace
PEACE
But before we can know what a peacemaker is we out to understand and define peace. What is peace? The absence of conflict or something more?
Peace can apply to us in at least three ways:
- External – conflict between individuals or groups of people.
- Internal – a lack of peace within myself.
- Time – a lack of peace over my past.
BIBLE WORDS TRANSLATED PEACE:
(שָׁלוֹם, shalom; εἰρήνη, eirēnē). A pervasive concept in the Bible that most commonly relates to a relationship of love and loyalty with God and one another.
In the Old Testament, “peace” carries the fundamental meaning of welfare, prosperity, or wholeness as well as the absence of hostility (compare Westermann, “Peace [Shalom],” 20, 44–53). The term is frequently used as the antithesis of harm. – Greever, J. M. (2016). Peace. In J. D. Barry, D. Bomar, D. R. Brown, R. Klippenstein, D. Mangum, C. Sinclair Wolcott, … W. Widder (Eds.), The Lexham Bible Dictionary. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.
Peace in the New Testament
The Graeco-Roman concept of peace held various nuances. For example, the Homeric literature portrayed peace as an ideal state that a hero achieved through war. This led to the common adage, “If you wish peace, prepare for war” (compare Vegetius, Concerning Military Affairs III [preface]). On the other hand, the Stoics conceived of peace as an inward tranquility. The New Testament concept of peace shows dependence on the Semitic understanding of peace rather than the Graeco-Roman conception. In the New Testament, the concept of peace is consistent with the Old Testament in that it refers to prosperity, which climaxes in the peace the Messiah brings. – Greever, J. M. (2016). Peace. In J. D. Barry, D. Bomar, D. R. Brown, R. Klippenstein, D. Mangum, C. Sinclair Wolcott, … W. Widder (Eds.), The Lexham Bible Dictionary. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.
UNDERLYING IMPORTANT ISSUE:
Notice how God is always concerned with making us one, helping us become one. Throughout the Bible He continually stresses one!
“4There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— 5one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” (Ephesians 4:4–6, ESV)
14 For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility 15 by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, Ephesians 2:14-15 (ESV)
The unity God wants isn’t just because it would be nice, but because it grows out of and is a reflection of, GOD’S VERY NATURE.
“21that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, 23I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me.” (John 17:21–23, ESV)
Because I’m at peace with God I want others to BE AT PEACE with Him.
- I make peace like Jesus did – inviting people to CONNECT WITH JESUS.
- Because I follow the Prince of Peace I SEEK TO LIVE IN PEACEwith everyone.
14 Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. Hebrews 12:14 (ESV)
19 So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding. Romans 14:19 (ESV)
- CONTENDING FOR THE FAITH is part of peacemaking.
3 Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints. Jude 1:3 (ESV)
“34“Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. 35For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. 36And a person’s enemies will be those of his own household. 37Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. 38And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. 39Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.” (Matthew 10:34–39, ESV)
4) I’m called a Child of God because I CARRY HIS PEACE WITHIN me and always seek to LIVE IT OUT.
18 And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. James 3:18 (ESV)
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