Matthew 5:9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
We are called to value the words of Jesus. His words are lifegiving. In the sermon on the mount, He picks out specific characteristics and virtues and highlights that those who walk in them are blessed. One of these is being a peacemaker. It is important for us and behoves us to study what this really means so that we may walk in this blessing. The word “maker” here comes from a word meaning to manufacture, construct or cause.
The word “blessed” is Makarios which means “to be envied, fortunate, one who has God’s favour extended in their lives. God’s benefits are made long and large in their lives.” The word peace means to tie together as a whole or wholeness, when the essential parts are tied together, rest and quietness. It has connotations of unity. So when someone gossips and causes division they are doing the opposite of this. When I speak to you words that refresh and quiet your soul I am being a peacemaker. Peace here is God’s gift of wholeness. Being a peacemaker is a core characteristic of a child of God. Elsewhere Jesus teaches that if we walk in love for each other, they will know we are His disciples. Here He is saying that if we are peacemakers, we will be called children of God. By whom I wonder. I believe that people will recognize Christ in us, but heaven will also identify us. When you are a child of someone it means you have their DNA. You are like them. When we are called children of God because we are peacemakers it means that God is that too. We are that because He is. This must always be our starting point. God is described as the God of Peace. Jesus is described as the Prince of Peace.