I remember when they built the bridge that connects mainland New Brunswick to Prince Edward Island in Atlantic Canada. It was an engineering marvel of the mid-1990’s, and a really big deal to those of us who liked to vacation on Anne of Green Gables’ sandy shores. When I was a child we journeyed to these distant beaches for two weeks each summer. Getting there was a full day’s ordeal.
Each year, we arrived at the end of the land in Eastern New Brunswick after more than three hours of driving. We inched our overstuffed vehicle into a seemingly never-ending line of cars several rows wide, on the edge of an Atlantic Ocean strait that stretched for 12 kilometers between us and the island of our destination. Then we waited, and waited. We waited for what seemed an eternity, but was likely only hours. Ice cream treats from the parking lot canteen, and a busy playground, helped us kids pass the time.
Then the sound and sight we were all waiting for: the disembarking cars from the PEI side zipped by in rhythmic hum a hundred times over. Finally, the waiting cars came to life and we coasted in obedient lines until we clanged onto a large, multilevel ferry and came to a full stop at the bumper ahead of us. Less than an hour later, we disembarked onto the island, and continued for the last leg of our journey.
A bridge seemed an unthinkable option back in those days, because of the large gap between the two shores. Now, it’s a quick 10 minute drive across that strait over a new bridge making those distant sandy shores much more accessible.
I’ve been writing my way through the Beatitudes in the Gospel of Matthew. Each one is a truth to encourage us to search our hearts and see if we are truly in the blessed way. So far, we’ve learned what true salvation looks like—seeing our sin, and mourning over it. We’ve also begun to see what walking with God looks like, and what we ought to be pursuing, if we’re the Lord’s.
Today, we’re looking at those Jesus calls peacemakers. We all understand that peacemakers make peace between two sides that are opposed to each other. A wide gap of irreconcilable differences spans between two sides, and peacemakers attempt to create a pathway across this divide. So in a sense, peacemakers are bridge builders, allowing reconciliation, where separation once existed.
Jesus proclaimed his seventh Beatitude with these words:
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.” Matt. 5:9
J.C. Ryle says of this Beatitude:
“The Lord Jesus calls those ‘blessed’ who are peacemakers. He means those who use all their influence to promote peace and charity on earth, in private and in public, at home and abroad. He means those who strive to make all men love one another, by teaching that gospel which says, ‘love is the fulfilling of the law’ (Rom 13:10). Blessed are all such! They are doing the very work which the son of God began when he came to earth the first time, and which he will finish when he returns the second time.”
How can we be peacemakers?
First, we must be at peace ourselves, and that can only be so as we repent and believe the gospel, laying down our weapons of warfare against our Creator, and surrendering to His way. We cannot be makers of peace if we have none ourselves.
“Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Rom 5:1)
Jesus is the ultimate peacemaker. “Peace on earth!” proclaimed the angels to the shepherds watching their flocks that night near Bethlehem. Peace had come to earth as God wrapped in flesh. His name was Jesus, Saviour. He came to save His people from their sins. He is the bridge that closes the infinite divide between the holy God of heaven and sinful man upon earth. He is the way of peace between God and man.
“For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility 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, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility. And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near.” Eph. 2:14-17
“For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God.” 1 Peter 3:18
How?
“For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.” (Col 1:19-20)
Once we are at peace with God, we then become peacemakers in two ways: as we strive to bring peace between God and man, and as we help establish peace between ourselves and others.
Bringing Peace Between God and Man
We are no more like our Saviour than when we are faithful to share the gospel with our lost neighbors, friends, family, and any others we have the opportunity to share with.
We can’t be the bridge, but we can point people to the bridge and call them to cross over. The apostle Paul used strong verbs like urge, compel, plead, beg, when describing how we ought to share the gospel with the lost—it’s no casual matter. Only Christ can do the saving work in anyone’s soul, but believers have a high calling to help bring peace between the lost and God—to love others enough to point them to the one who can, and will, give them the peace they are so desperately seeking.
“And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.” (James 3:18)
Sadly, I am not as faithful in this as I ought to be. You? I find myself grieved by this reality. Oh, Lord, may my words always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so I may know what I ought to answer each person you put before me. (Col 4:6)
I’m certain I’m not the only one who feels this way. Author Jonathan Dodson, in his recent book, “Witness: Loving Your Church by sharing the Gospel“, has a helpful reminder for those of us who tend to be fearful in sharing our faith:
“While the word evangelism can stir up feelings of anxiety and fear, consider what it meant for you to hear the good news for the first time. Where were you when you internalized the notion that Christ suffered in your place to set you free from guilt, sin, and death, and rose to grant you forgiveness, righteousness, and new life as his beloved child? What did it feel like to respond to God’s gracious offer of salvation in Jesus?” (Jonathan Dodson, Witness: Loving Your Church by Sharing the Gospel. pg. 59)
I can remember the first time I heard that good news. I remember how my stone-cold, fearful, heart melted away. I remember how peace came upon me, and covered me in its warm, life-giving embrace of forgiveness. Where would I be if someone hadn’t shared with me? I shudder to even think the thought.
Bringing Peace Between Ourselves and Others
Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those mistreat you (Luke 6:27-28); bear with one another forgiving one another as God in Christ has forgiven you (Col. 4:13); love one another with a brotherly love (Rom. 12:10); as much as it depends on you, be at peace with one another (Rom. 12:18). These are just a few of the New Testament verses commanding us to be builders of bridges called peace.
Again, we are no more like our Saviour than when we are loving those we consider our enemies or those we think are not deserving of our respect or kindness. Yes, that includes the annoying person always in your face talking about themselves; and the rude shopper that pushed you so they could get ahead of you; and the family member who hurt you so deeply; and the co-worker who stole your promotion; and the long-time friend who mocks and hates you because you’re a Christian. All of these and all others, we are called to love.
These are high commands—an impossible bridge to build over a gap too wide to span. They are unattainable to keep apart from Christ, but when we live this way, a bitter, angry, and selfish world takes notice.
Let us remember that we were once enemies of God, yet even then, he sent His Son to die for us and bring us to Himself. May we so let our light shine before men, that they may see our good works (our love toward one another) and praise our Father in heaven (Matt. 5:16).
May we, as believers, be peacemakers. Blessed is such a one, for they shall be called sons of God.
Take Up and Read
Matthew 5:1-12
Matthew 5:38-48
Luke 6:27:36
Romans Ch. 5
Romans Ch. 12
The Light for My Path 