Peacemaking and persecution

Read Matthew 5:9-10

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The pure in heart (8) are well-suited to being peacemakers (9). Conflict comes from intrigue – peacemaking comes from sincerity. There’s also a connection with the third Beatitude in the first set, for meekness (gentleness with strength) is a necessary quality if we are to fulfil our calling to peacemaking and reconciliation (2 Cor.5:18).

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Conflict is inevitable in life, especially for Christians (Mt.10:34-36). But we mustn’t be the ones who cause it. “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live in peace with everyone” (Rom.12:18; Heb.12:14; 1 Cor.7:15). Living in peace provides the starting point for being people who actively seek to promote peace and reconciliation. Peacemaking is God’s work (Col.1:20; Eph.2:15) and so those who share in it with him are called “sons of God”.

The final Beatitude might seem a strange conclusion to the “golden chain” but some people will refuse to live in peace with us. In both sets of four the final Beatitude mentions righteousness (6,10) and when God’s people hunger for righteousness opposition will come, as it did for Jesus (Jn.15:18-21). But their great blessing is that the kingdom of heaven belongs to them.