The world in which we live is bitterly divided.  Polarization, sectarianism, national and international conflicts are the order of the day.  Our Christian convictions about peace, forgiveness, and hope – the gospel’s message of reconciliation, Jesus’ call to love our neighbor, and the honored role of peacemakers in Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount – are being challenged.  How can we avoid being overtaken by hatred, pride, and a desire to seek revenge?

These tensions take many shapes.  What sort of challenges are you facing in your home?  In your neighborhood or workplace?  In our community as a church?  In our nation?  How do we work on preserving unity – or creating unity – in the face of polarization?

“Blessed are the peacemakers,” said Jesus, “for they will be called sons of God” (Matthew 5:9).  Jesus is not telling us what to do in order to become sons of God, but rather describing God’s children, telling us that God’s children are, in fact, peacemakers, because they reflect the character of their Heavenly Father, “the God of peace” (1 Thess. 5:23) and of Jesus, the Prince of Peace.  What God loves, they love; what God desires, they desire.

The Greek word for peace is eirene.  It is derived from the word for to join or to unite – to tie together into a single whole, becoming one.  The focus is on the creation of a harmonious community rather than the individual.  Ephesians 2:15 says that, in Christ, people who were formerly alienated have become “one new person” as through Him.  The Christian ministry is, at its heart, a ministry of reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:19).  In Christ, both those “who were far away” and “those who were near” now “have our access in one Spirit to the Father.”  “He Himself is our peace (eirene).” (Eph. 2:14; Heb. 7:1-3).

Eirene is a forceful word in the New Testament, an active force to transform persons, communities, relationships, and situations.  Rather than being undermined by difficult circumstances, eirene is a peace that impacts situations and circumstances for the well-being of others and of communities.  In fact, it sounds, not just active, but aggressive in a few New Testament texts:  “The God of eirene peace will shortly crush Satan under your feet” (Rom. 16:20).  God’s peace undermines the slander, enmity, and lies that Satan uses to destroy relationships and communities.

The sense of the word translated “peacemakers” in Matthew 5:9 (eirenopoios)could be highlighted by translating it “peace-workers.”  The Greek word for “maker” is poieo, meaning “to do,” “to cause,” “to produce,” or “to bear.”  So peacemakers are active agents, working at creating peace.  They are peace-doers, peace-causers, peace-producers, and peace-bearers.  They are troubled by conflict and injustice and take initiative to resolve conflict and effect justice in order to bring about harmony and well-being (shalom) in their communities.  

Peace-making is at the heart of God’s calling for His children.  While the enemy is out to destroy relationships, creating walls of hatred, hatred, and enmity, God is in the business of effecting healing and restoring relationships by building bridges.  We have no guarantees that this peacemaking work will result in peace-achieving.  But we take the initiative, and we stick with it, not because those we serve deserve it, or because we are guaranteed success, but because it is in line with our calling as the children of our “God of peace” (1 Thess. 5:23).

1. Cite examples of conflicts or injustices that are troubling you.  How might you address them with a view to peace-making?  Does your group have any suggestions on how to do so?
2. Dr. Melki pointed out that God’s people lack credibility if we relate to others the same way the world relates.  As Jesus observed, “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you?  Even sinners love those who love them.  And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you?  Even sinners do that” (Luke 6:32-33).  Describe your experience with respect to loving those with whom you are at odds.
3. On a personal level:  The first step in engaging constructively with those whose worldviews or values are very different from our own is to shift from a spirit of judgment to a spirit of curiosity.  I.e., to talk with them in order to understand why they think or feel the way they do, rather than to be “right” – i.e., to ask ourselves the question, “Why are they so different?” not in frustration, but with genuine curiosity.  Is there someone with whom you can apply this principle?  (Holiday gatherings might provide opportunities to apply this principle!)