‘The blessing that belongs to the peacemakers’ (Matthew 5:9)

After speaking about the blessing of being poor in spirit, being broken over our own sin, the importance of meekness, the need to hunger and thirst for righteousness, the blessing that comes to those who know and give out mercy and the need for a pure, undivided heart, in Matthew 5:9, Jesus then spoke of the blessing that belongs to those who make peace. While peace is often understood as the absence of war, it has a much deeper meaning in Scripture. Jesus was known as the ‘Prince of Peace’ and by his death and resurrection he made reconciled God’s people to God – bringing them into a relationship with Him. As those who know this peace, the followers of Jesus are called to be peace-makers by encouraging all to find peace with God through the gospel.