Word of Salvation – Vol. 21 No.15 - January 1975

 

Blessed Peacemakers

 

Sermon by Rev. J. de Kievit. Th.Grad. on Matthew 5:9

Scripture Readings: James 4:1-12, Ephesians 2:11-22

Psalter Hymnal: 315, 170, 436, 278, 231 (Doxology)

 

Of all the Beatitudes, here seems to be one at least with which modern man can completely agree.  For you will hardly find anyone anywhere – who loves war with all its devastation; its death and destruction of moral values.  Especially now that there is the added horror of the nuclear threat which hangs like a terrible sword over the whole world, and which could become reality at any time.

No, instead, there is the cry for peace!  Never before in the world's history has this cry been more intense and urgent as in our 20th Century, and particularly say, in the last 35 years.  Because everyone knows what could happen!!  And everyone – or almost everyone – is scared of it.  Naturally!

A whole generation, in fact, is growing up under the shadow of despair.  Because they know the world could erupt at any time, and the human race be wiped out.

It's quite logical, therefore, that not long ago Dr. Kissinger was hailed as perhaps "THE peacemaker of this century" – because of his efforts in the Middle East situation, and his apparent success.  And in that climate it should not have been all that difficult for ex-President Nixon to leave his mark on world history as he wanted to with his slogans of peace for our generation, and his personal efforts at diplomacy with communist countries.  Are we then to call him a son of God?   Despite the evidence of 'deleted expletives' on the infamous Watergate tapes?

Is that what Jesus means here?

And are we to call Dr. Kissinger a son of God because of HIS peace missions?   He MAY be, of course!  He is reputed to be a staunch church member.  But IS that what our Lord means?

Of course, any work for the prevention of war is good – although that is doubtful too at times when you see the means employed to obtain so-called peace.  But is that what the Lord Jesus has in mind?

No, not at all!  Or not altogether, anyway.

Perhaps we get part of our answer when we look at what is achieved by all such efforts in the world.

For despite all this talk of peace, there have never been so many major wars as in this same period.  War in Korea and Indo-China.  War between Pakistan and India, and India and China.  Between Arabs and Jews.  And then we don't even count the shocking bloodbaths which have occurred and still occur in civil wars, such as in Nigeria and Northern Ireland.

Look, lately there has hardly been a country – leave alone a continent which has been spared the chaos and destruction which is the inevitable result of strife.  And even now, right at present, conditions are ripe for more major conflicts.  In that powder-keg of the Middle East war could break out again at any moment.  Latest reports indicate March or April at the latest according to some in any case.

Yes, there may be detente at present among the super-powers, but how durable is that?   How long will THAT last?

No, we've got to be realistic, haven't we?  Peace in this world is a myth!  The world LACKS peace – for lack of real peace-makers!

And that is true just as much within our own country.  Increasingly we hear warnings that because of the worsening economic situation we may have to face violence from extremists on either right or left.  And violence, of course, is in the news almost daily anyway.

Just where IS peace?   Even in our own country?  Within our own families, even?   And where are the peace-makers?  The people who do their utmost to reconcile those who are in conflict?  So that they may forgive each other from the heart?  Where ARE they?

And those who are prepared to take the initiative and work for peace and forgiveness, even when they themselves have been insulted by others?  Rather than retaliate and play hard against hard?  Where ARE they?

Because THAT is what the Lord Jesus is talking about when He says, "Blessed are the peace-makers."  He is interested in those who look further than mere prevention of immediate war or quarrelling – however good that may be.  Those who look and work instead for a change of heart!  Which leads to real brotherhood again, and friendship between former enemies.

Yes, they are hard to find, aren't they?  Certainly in international political circles.  In fact, politicians who talk most about peace, often give the impression that they do so more for the good of their own reputation than for anything else.

And the efforts of Kissinger, no matter how good and successful, often seem no more than tricky compromises.  By making some secret promises here and taking back a bit there, some belligerent leaders can perhaps be stopped from immediate attack on their neighbours.

But that, of course, is not peace in the best and deepest sense at all!  Nor real peace-making in the sense Jesus means it.  It doesn't touch the HEART with its passions and illegitimate desires which, according to James, cause wars in the first place.

It is a delicate balance at best.  A balance of power and of self-interest.  If that balance is only slightly upset there could be war again immediately.  If either Russia or America, for example, can no longer see profit in their present trade relations, then the spirit of detente would quickly disappear.

But what kind of real peace is that?

Or, to ask it somewhat differently, who in the world would even hope or try to get any deeper kind of peace?  It's completely impracticable, isn't it?  That is the same story in labour relations.  Negotiation and compromise, perhaps, again on a basis of strength and self-interest, rather than goodwill.

And is it much different in our personal dealings with our neighbours?  Is it any different in the church?

Oh yes, there are plenty of people, aren't there, who know all about the troubles and scandals which go on between brothers and sisters in the Lord, and who are ready to talk about it at the drop of a hat – or their own version of it, anyway.  The juicier the better.

But what good does that do?   How can that build up the members of Christ's church?   How does that promote real understanding amongst us and readiness to forgive?   Even if we are partly correct in what we say, doesn't it rather stir up trouble even further and make peace even more impossible?

And let's not look now at others.  We have all got enough on our own plates if we just look at ourselves – and at our natural tendency to rejoice when we can show off what we know.  Indeed, that is a natural tendency – the work of our old nature which will assert itself in us too, if we let it.

It's for that reason that so often we retaliate; that we shout it from the rooftops whenever we think we have been insulted, or by-passed or defrauded.  Rather than being the one who makes the first move.

"Let them come to me first if they want things fixed up again."  Isn't that the attitude which so often rules our conduct?   And something may have happened years ago.  It may even have been fixed up and made right again.  Yet we can still hold ourselves back and let it be known quite clearly that we don't give the other person a chance.  He or she is out, and stays out, no matter what evidence for the better there may be.

Yes, that can and does happen – also within our churches and congregations, doesn't it?  When we allow that natural tendency the upper hand.  But where is the real blessing, the real PEACE, in such a situation?  Where are the peace-makers?  And oh, how much we need peace-makers.  Especially in the Church of Jesus Christ!  Because the great enemy – Satan – he loves nothing better than to set Christian over against Christian!  Let's not forget his foul intent in all this.  It's within the church that he tries hardest of all!  Not so much in the world.  He knows the world is in his power.  His name is "Prince of this world", after all.  And not for nothing.  He doesn't have to try so hard there.  But he sets all on all to wreck the Church of Jesus Christ!  By any means he can!  Especially by sowing discord among brethren!!

And oh, how we play into his hands if we become tale-bearers of strife, rather than healers of it.  And perpetrators of hate when we keep nursing our grudges – no matter what excuses we offer.  What a sorry spectacle before a watching world.  "By your unity", said our Lord Jesus, "you are to show that the Father has sent me."  That unity it is a definite means of evangelism!  And a very powerful means at that.

The Church is to be a real-life demonstration of peace in a broken world which knows no peace.  Because we have been redeemed by Christ's precious blood, and are now sons and daughters of the living God.  So that the world can see the real peace of God reflected in and through us.

But what a curse to Christ's Name when we allow ourselves to fall for the devil's tactics.  Yes, like it or not, that's what we do when we stir up strife or condone it in any way.

It may seem as if we are proving ourselves to be somebody when we stubbornly refuse to give in.  But in fact we show ourselves small-minded.  And if we love to talk about the troubles between others we may give ourselves the air of being above that kind of thing.  But then, really, we are little of heart and faith.  Because we love ourselves more than others.  More, even than God!  It's a curse on His Name.

But persisting in that would be a complete contradiction to what we claim to be, wouldn't it?   Christians!  Children of God!  And that would rebound on our own heads.  "Those who confess me before men", said Jesus, "I will confess (or claim) before my Father Who is in heaven.  And those who deny me I will deny."

That is why the Lord Jesus stresses here that blessed are the peace- makers.

It doesn't matter if it seems impracticable to the world.  We are not told that we will be able to solve all of the world's problems – certainly not by way of worldly diplomacy.  Although if we Christians can contribute anything at all to peace between nations, we should certainly do so.  And pray constantly.  That's also part of our duty as world citizens.  The faithful prayer of the righteous man achieves much.

But even more particularly, in our own immediate environment: "Blessed are the peace-makers".

The Church in particular is not to consist of various opposing factions which may happen to be in fine balance but may at the same time be looking for an opportunity to get on top.  "No", the Lord is saying in effect, "show yourselves for what you really are children of God."  Even if you feel silly for doing so perhaps, make the first move if necessary.  To make real peace possible.  Rather than retaliate in pride.  And even if the world laughs at you, or rejoices in wrong, work to bring and spread peace.  Bring together those who are at loggerheads, in real unity, rather than pour more fuel on the fire.  Because what's a feeling in the view of eternity?   Or the ridicule of others?   And is it worth it, really, to nurse a grudge?   Or indulge in self-righteous gossip?   Just because we refuse to let go of our imagined advantages over others?   What then if Jesus had thought that?   He would not have died for the peace of the world for you and me but rather consigned us straight to hell.  Because it wasn't worth it for Him to give up all His advantages.  But as it was, THE Son of God made it possible for us to be sons of God; to be His children; to show the nature of our Father living within us.  "He is our peace", says Paul in Ephesians.  By dying He has brought the hostility to an end.

How then can we better show our gratitude for such great salvation than by being peace-makers in every situation?   No matter how difficult it may be.  What a blessing to the world if every Christian made it his or her job to be a peace-maker!  What a blessing to the CHURCH!!  What a witness to the Lord Jesus in this world,

Are we really WILLING to be peace-makers then?   Starting right NOW!  Today!!  And keeping at it.  Right at home and in our local congregation where it may be most difficult of all.

That's what the Lord Jesus expects of you and me.  Of all of us.  Well, then we show the genuineness of our faith – here on earth.

Yes, then we may be laughed at – perhaps all our lives.  For being the least and perhaps being thought a sucker.  Or for our lack of sense of reality because we try the impossible in the eyes of the world.

But then on the Judgement Day the Lord Jesus will certainly claim us – publicly – as His own.

And isn't that worth everything?

Blessed then, are the peace-makers, for they shall be called sons of God.

Amen.