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Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.
Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. (Matt 5:9-12 NIV84) [see these verses in their context below]
Who would ever want to be persecuted?
More Christian believers have been martyred in the past century than all the previous centuries combined. To some degree, this is due to an increased world population but the greater reason is the growth and spread of Christianity throughout the world.
The majority of these Christian martyrs were outside the western world and western worldview, except for the more recent publicized beheadings by ISIS terrorists. However, over the past two to three centuries we’ve also seen a greater influence of Christian peacemakers.
Peacemakers are often social justice advocates for many issues. Some notable ones are—William and Catherine Booth and their daughter Evangeline of the Salvation Army, William Wilberforce in England, and the Quakers in America were abolitionists, pacifists, and peacemakers, along with many others such as Jonathan Edwards and William Finney.
More recent notable Christian peacemakers include—Amy Carmichael in India, Corrie Ten Boom and Dietrich Bonhoeffer in Germany, and Martin Luther King Jr. These are notable but hundreds of thousands are unknown to most of us but continue to work tirelessly for peace and social justice and bring the good news of the gospel with them.
Many missionaries and missions organizations do great work throughout the world but are rarely recognized for their work of peacemaking for Jesus. I’ve written about a few of them I know personally but have known and worked alongside many more.
Insights
It’s interesting how the Lord puts peacemakers and the persecuted at the end of this list of nine Beatitudes. They might seem to be at opposite ends of the spectrum but are linked together in ways we may not realize.
Cultural trends change over time in somewhat cyclical ways. Governments and ruling leaders change, as do social norms regarding morality, ethics, and spiritual values. When Christianity is flourishing with a strong influence for good, history shows a lessening of oppression and poverty over time.
But, as the strong influence of Christianity wanes, resistance and reaction moves in the opposite direction and can bring persecution. But it’s cyclical. A surge in persecution is often followed by a rise of faith and peacemakers who effect change in culture and values.
Great assurances and promises are given to those who are bold peacemakers, as well as, those who endure persecution for the sake of following Jesus and living upright lives. The Lord says both peacemakers and those persecuted are blessed as citizens of His kingdom.
Redefining the Nature of God’s Kingdom
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.
The earmark of Christian peacemakers is to have the peace of God in them. Jesus promised His peace would remain in those who trusted in Him (John 14:27; 16:33). His peace is anchored in us by the Holy Spirit living in us as believers and flows out to influence the lives of others.
Peacemakers make peace because they have the Lord’s enduring peace. A peace characterized by harmony. Not just a lack of contention and strife but a state of well-being in their soul.
All citizens of God’s kingdom are called to be peacemakers who pursue and promote peace—
So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding. (Rom 14:19)
The pursuit and promotion of peace reflects the nature of whom we follow—Jesus, the Prince of Peace. Therefore, the Lord says these peacemakers will be called the children of God.
The effect and result of genuine peacemaking is—a harvest of righteousness (Jam 3:18). In other words, it should be easy to know who God’s children are. They are those who pursue and promote peace in their relationships with others and by how they live for Jesus.
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Peacemakers should expect resistance and this resistance may evolve into persecution. Why? Because of righteousness. Righteousness is resisted and fought against by those who love darkness more than light.
Righteousness—honesty and integrity of character and in actions—exposes what is corrupt, deceitful, and selfish. When cultural bias swings to embrace darkness and deceit, persecution of the righteous will follow.
God’s promise to those persecuted for righteousness is the same as those who are poor in spirit—theirs is the kingdom of heaven. They will not be forgotten or ignored but honored.
Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.
This is a very personalized Beatitude—directly related to our personal relationship with the Lord and others.
When I find myself or hear others surprised and offended by those who mock Christians and the Christian faith, it shows how easily we forget what the Lord endured. Jesus endured an increased resistance by Jewish leaders throughout the gospels, His betrayal by Judas, and abandonment by His closest followers.
Christian believers who live out their faith among others—especially in any public environment—ought to expect criticism, insults, slander, and even persecution. Why? God’s Son and God’s spokespersons the prophets were treated, that is mistreated this way.
What should our response be to insults, slander, and persecution? Not complaining or whining but rejoicing!
Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Why should we rejoice and be glad?
When following Jesus is evident in our lives to others, we reflect Him to them. We ought to be thankful and honored by this as the first followers of Jesus were (Acts 5:41).
God promises our reward will be great in heaven. All the difficulties of this life are temporary, even when it seems they go on and on. But they will pass as we persevere in our faith. The promises of God are eternal and He will honor and reward our faithfulness to Him.
Are you one of God’s peacemakers? Rejoice and be glad, even when mistreated by others!
Reflection—
Great assurances and promises are given to both peacemakers and those who endure persecution for the sake of following Jesus and who live upright lives. They are blessed as citizens of His kingdom who reflect His nature.
Prayer Focus—
When you are criticized or mistreated for following Jesus or upholding what’s right, ask the Lord for His grace to not complain but rejoice. Ask God to renew His peace in your heart and mind, so you may be faithful to Him.
Devo Scripture Text
Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them saying:
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
(Matthew 5:1-12 NIV84)