Blessed are the Peacemakers: Pastor Reid Matthias

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God.”

Of all the things created in the world, from the Coliseum in Rome to the Pyramids in Egypt, from the Great Wall of China to the ABC building in Collinswood – each of their architects perhaps would have said that their task was infinitely easier than creating a sense of lasting peace in the world.

The creation of things unseen: making friends, making judgements, making amends and making peace, are far more difficult than laying brick on top of mortar. In the case of peacemaking, the construction is difficult because the building materials are so scarce.

Thus, we understand that Jesus was changing the entirety of the world’s perspective by stating: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God.”

In the chaos of the world around us, humanity seems to have lost its sense of peace. For many, the Coronavirus scare has allowed the age old enemy – fear - to raise its head and we battle against each other, fight for life, clawing and scrabbling to the top of the heap so that somehow we aren’t crushed at the bottom.

In the midst of the confusion and chaos, there is a segment of people, the children of God; peacemakers all, who stand calling out to the mountain of fear: “Look, children, come buy bread for free! We have enough to share! Our enemy is not of flesh and blood, but of Satan and the principalities of darkness!”

Come, follow us into the light. Come and find peace that passes all understanding.

This week, as our Beatitudes series continues, we look at one of the great biblical peacemakers, Abigail. Read her story with me and help me apply it to our world today.

Remember, you are children of God.

Pastor Reid

Bible Reading: 1 Samuel 25