Peacemaker and Child of God
Indianapolis First Friends Quaker Meeting
Pastor Bob Henry
March 2, 2025
Good morning, Friends, and welcome to Light Reflections. This morning we look at the next of the Beatitudes from Matthew 5:9 from the New Revised Standard Version.
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.”
Even though among Quakers this is one of the most quoted of the Beatitudes, it is also one of the more misunderstood passages in the Bible.
Peacemaking itself is often misunderstood. Out in Oregon, our Yearly Meeting would celebrate Peace Month in January. I helped write sermon prompts for the month that would focus on different aspects of peacemaking. What was interesting is that often when pastors (including myself) preached on peacemaking, we found it quickly made people uncomfortable, and thus, on occasion we would describe that month as “peace-less” month.
This is probably because many believe that peace is all about the absence of conflict or trying to completely remove conflict from our lives. And if we are simply trying to live without conflict…well, good luck. Conflict is always looming and ready to rear its ugly head – and often when we are not expecting it.
In the Beatitude for today the word used for the “Blessed” is the peacemakers. I think what Jesus intended goes beyond the absence of conflict and directly to the core of being a peacemaker - which means to actively seek reconciliation.
And before we get too far, we must also define reconciliation as,
“bringing together those who were once divided.”
If there has ever been a call being heralded to the church, today, it is to be peacemakers who reconcile those who were once divided – especially in the polarized nation in which we live.
Sadly, this is also exactly how one quickly moves from peacemaking to being peace-less. Bringing together those who were once divided in our current condition seems almost a dreadful task. And if we’re honest, this is the last thing most of us want to attempt. It would be much easier to simply surround ourselves with people who agree with us, have the same goals, and ultimately lack conflict for our lives but that is not the work of peacemaking – you might say that has more to do with peacekeeping which this often gets confused with.
Maybe you are saying, if that is what it takes to be a “child of God”…well, maybe that is not what I really want. See how quickly the tension rises?
Here is where I go from “preaching to meddlin’” as they say in the south, and all I have to do is ask you a simple query:
· Who is the person you are most in conflict with currently? What would it take to reconcile that relationship?
I bet all kinds of emotions and feels just coursed through your being. Maybe you felt anger, frustration, shame, a lack of being heard, and the list goes on.
But can I ask you to hold those thoughts for a moment, I am sure we will return to them. For now, let’s take a deeper look at what Jesus was saying in this Beatitude.
Breaking down the term “peacemakers,” we find that “peace” derives from the Hebrew word “shalom,” conveying well-being and blessings.
The word “maker” implies intentional action, emphasizing the need for active involvement in promoting shalom. Thus, Jesus is asking us to be makers of well-being and blessings.
In the biblical context, peacemakers are closely tied to justice and righteousness (which I have been sharing throughout this series). Lasting peace is impossible without these virtues. Peacekeeping, devoid of justice and righteousness, merely ignores conflict rather than addressing it or resolving it.
For you and me to embrace the role of a peacemaker is not a lighthearted endeavor. It often involves messy, soul-wrenching, and self-sacrificing work. Again, the reason it often seems “peace-less.”
Jesus himself, who many consider the ultimate Peacemaker, endured immense conflict and strife for the sake of reconciliation. Talk to any peacemaking activist and you will quickly realize that it is a high-risk venture, where the likelihood of getting hurt is nearly 100%.
Also, despite our best efforts, not everyone may respond positively to our attempts at making peace, well-being, or blessing.
Even the bible in Romans 12:18 reminds us, “IF IT IS POSSIBLE, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”
“IF IT IS POSSIBLE” – I am so glad Paul included that important line in his letter – If anyone understood the struggle, it was Paul.
The Beatitudes, including the call to be peacemakers, challenge you and me to undergo a transformation – a death to self and the birth of a new, spiritually aligned person. That has been the heart of the Beatitudes from day one.
As I mentioned last week, this overturns worldly logic (what we call Jesus’ Upside-down Kingdom), emphasizing the value of meekness, humility, and hunger for those attributes of righteousness.
For most people, confronting past wounds and seeking peace can be a daunting task. The fear of making peace with a painful past or individuals who have caused harm may seem risky. However, the effort to make peace, well-being, and blessing, itself is what brings blessing.
The hope you bring to the conversation is the proclamation of hope, forgiveness, and freedom from the chains of past mistakes and trauma.
Now, please hear me on this. I need to make a disclaimer at this point. Even though YOU might bring hope, that does not mean the other person or people involved will understand or agree. This must be, first and foremost, a personal hope, a personal forgiveness, and a personal freedom that you embrace. We would hope others would embrace this as well, but that is not guaranteed. The work is for us to do.
I know that many of you in this room have uncovered wounds from past abuse, neglect, and betrayal. I have seen how deeply those wounds hurt, and I understand the fear of trying to make peace with your past or with someone who has hurt you, it is a high-risk endeavor.
But remember, THEIR response isn’t what makes you blessed; rather, it is your effort to make peace. It is the good news that YOU bring to the conversation – good news that says YOU are forgiving and, therefore, are forgiven. The good news that YOU can be set free from the chains of your past mistakes and trauma. It is the good news that regardless of how those who hurt you respond, YOU will always be a child of God.
Remember Joseph in the Old Testament, despite being sold into slavery by his own brothers, he chose forgiveness and reconciliation and all while he was in a position of power in Egypt. Boy, that story could have turned into revenge, retribution, and no peace, easily. And he had no idea how his brothers would respond to his grace. But, Joseph’s story is a testament to the transformative power of choosing peace, and folks, it wasn’t easy and it took a long time for him to see hearts change.
Or even Jesus himself, who, despite facing betrayal, false accusations, and even crucifixion, prayed for forgiveness for his persecutors and sought reconciliation as an example for us on how to be a true peacemaker.
Folks, now, I have to be honest, to just understand the biblical concept of peacemaking is not enough, we often read these stories, quote from them, and not let them affect or change us personally.
So how do we translate all of this into practical actions for our daily lives?
Let’s take a moment to explore some tangible steps to becoming peacemakers in our families, communities, and world, today.
I sense these will be very critical to changing the course of our lives and even our country in the days ahead. Evan Owens of Reboot Recovery has given some thoughts on where we can start. (You may want to write these down).
1. Embrace a Humble Attitude: Peacemaking starts with humility. We must acknowledge our own shortcomings and be willing to extend grace to others.
2. Active Listening: Seek to understand others’ perspectives by actively listening without judgment. Active listening is a form of empathy. I have emphasized empathy on numerous occasions, because it is a powerful tool in fostering understanding and reconciliation.
3. Choose Forgiveness: Let go of resentment and choose forgiveness, even when it seems difficult. Forgiveness is a key component of peacemaking.
4. Promote Justice: Work towards creating an environment of justice and fairness for ALL people. That means addressing underlying issues that contribute to lasting peace.
5. Encourage Dialogue: Create spaces for open and honest dialogue. Communication is essential for resolving conflicts and building bridges. And if there is one thing that is lacking in our world, today, it is good communication.
6. Be a Catalyst for Change: Take intentional steps to address systemic issues contributing to conflict. Advocate for positive change in your community.
(What I think is beautiful is that there are several of you in this room who are stepping up and becoming catalysts for change here in Indy – I see your work on social media, I hear your names mentioned in our community, you know who you are, and you are being a catalyst for change – thank you!)
7. Lead by Example: Demonstrate the principles of peacemaking in your own daily life. Your actions can inspire others to follow suit.
And finally remember,
Blessed are you.
Blessed are you for trying to make peace.
Blessed are you for taking the first step towards reconciliation.
Blessed are you for forgiving those who have trespassed against you.
Blessed are you for keeping no records of wrongs.
For Jesus says these types of peacemakers will be called “children of God.”
He ends the verse that way because, as you work to make peace, you are reflecting the heart of God. Like I said last week – the heart of God becomes and IS your heart – and then you can begin to see that same heart in those around you.
To close this morning, I want to leave you with a story and poem. I sense it speaks to what I have shared in this sermon and our current condition in a profound way. The story and poem are both titled, "The Bridge of Broken Words” – I believe it is a metaphor for our times.
In a small, once-harmonious village nestled amidst rolling hills, a chasm of discord had formed between the families of Anya, a fiery weaver known for her vibrant tapestries, and Luka, a quiet woodcarver renowned for his delicate sculptures. A bitter feud, ignited by a misunderstanding long ago, had cast a shadow over their lives, leaving their once-shared laughter echoing only in the memories of the elders.
Anya, with her sharp tongue and passionate spirit, often voiced her grievances, while Luka, burdened by his quiet pride, retreated further into his workshop, his wood carvings becoming more intricate and introspective, reflecting his inner turmoil. The village, caught in the middle, watched as the once vibrant tapestry of their community faded into a muted palette of suspicion and tension.
One spring day, a devastating storm swept through the valley, causing the river to overflow its banks. The fragile wooden bridge connecting the two sides of the village was swept away, leaving the villagers isolated and fearful. It was then that Anya, realizing the gravity of the situation, took a bold step. She approached Luka, her eyes reflecting the storm raging outside, and said, "We need to rebuild the bridge, not just for the village, but for ourselves."
Luka, surprised by her openness, agreed, and together they led the villagers in the arduous task of gathering wood and weaving new planks. As they worked side-by-side, sharing stories of their past, the unspoken wounds began to heal. Anya, used to expressing herself through her tapestries, started weaving a new piece, depicting the bridge being rebuilt, each thread symbolizing a step towards reconciliation. Luka, in turn, carved a delicate wooden dove, a symbol of peace, to be placed at the center of the bridge.
When the bridge was finally completed, the villagers gathered, and Anya, with tears in her eyes, stepped onto the bridge, her tapestry draped across her shoulders, and extended her hand to Luka. He took it, his wooden dove clutched in his palm, and as they met in the middle, the once-invisible wall between them crumbled. The village erupted in cheers, the sound of their united joy echoing through the valley, a testament to the power of reconciliation.
"The Bridge of Broken Words"
Where once the river flowed, a chasm wide,
Words like stones, thrown with bitter pride.
Anya's fiery thread, Luka's silent carve,
A broken bridge, a life to starve.
But when the storm unleashed its wrath,
They saw the need to mend the path.
With hands that worked, and hearts that spoke,
A tapestry of peace, a bridge awoke.
Each plank a step, each thread a plea,
To bridge the gap, to finally be free.
The dove of wood, the woven art,
A new beginning, a healed heart.
Now, where the river flows once more,
No longer echoes the discord's roar.
The bridge stands strong, a symbol bright,
A testament to love's guiding light.
Amen.
Now, as we head into waiting worship, take some time to further ponder these queries.
1. Who is the person I am most in conflict with currently? What would it take to reconcile that relationship?
2. Where do I need to step out and be a true peacemaker in my circle of influence?
3. How might I help someone around me to know they are a special child of God?