Life is a bit crazy right now for me, so I am using the introduction of this week’s study as the blog post this week. As usual, the pdf will be attached to download, and last week’s answers will be linked. Have a wonderful weekend!
9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. Matthew
Most kingdoms invite soldiers who are willing to fight for the King. Jesus’ kingdom invites soldiers willing to offer peace and reconciliation to those who want to fight against them. As the next Beatitude will suggest, peacemaking can be divisive and dangerous. Jesus’ life will showcase this well. However, the promise for the peacemaker is an eternal identity as a child of God.
According to Webster’s 1828 Dictionary, a peacemaker “makes peace by reconciling parties that are at variance.” HELPS Word Study further declares that a peacemaker “bravely declares God’s terms, which makes someone whole.” Peace is defined by “all essential parts joined together; wholeness.” In other words, a peacemaker reconciles a sinner to God wholly, leaving no loose ends, no unknowns, no questions or doubts between creator and Creation. And the promise of Sonship (or daughtership!) not only guarantees an eternal place in the family of God but also motivates the believer to ensure that others receive the same adoption.
The questions for this study will pinpoint what the listeners would have known of peacemaking from Old Testament Scripture, how New Testament writers applied Jesus’ lesson of peacemaking, and how believers today can exemplify this truth in modern application. Peacemaking today can be just as divisive and dangerous as it was in first-century Israel, and yet, its intentional pursuit still identifies those who practice it as children of God. Identification with Christ requires purposeful reconciliation not only with fellow believers, but also with those who are openly hostile to God and His Word. While peacemaking involves evangelism, it is not solely evangelistic in nature. It will also include confrontation of a fellow believer who has turned from truth; earnest contention for the faith as it was delivered in the Scriptures, and a strong stand against false teaching. Let’s unpack the role of peacemaking!
His Song in the Night 