Matthew 5:9 Elucidation

Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.^{Matthew 5:9}

What Does It Mean to Be a Peacemaker?

The ultimate peacemakers has nothing to do with this world. Consider our favorite beggar Lazarus.^{(Luke 16:19-22.)} Lazarus was an absolute peacemaker. He made absolutely no trouble for anyone, he simply sat and begged for food. But he had no strength to fend off the the dogs that licked his sores, and much less strength than to steal or otherwise mutilate the laws of the world to obtain his way. Lazarus had no desires, and therefore had nothing to cause strife over.

Of course, we can't be thinking about peace in terms of familial matters. Jesus said, Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. And a man's foes shall be they of his own household.^{Matthew 10:34-36} While we cannot know for certain, we can say that it is doubtful that Lazarus' family were truly at peace with him being a beggar.

No, Lazarus was a peacemaker because he showed others that they too could be at peace as he was. He was not truly concerned for the customs of his day, nor for the demands of the world. He couldn't have been, because he was a beggar.

This peace is very different from the peace of the world. Jesus said, Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.^{John 14:27} Was Lazarus afraid when he died? Or was he relieved that he finally passed away from this awful world? We can't know the answer, but we do know that we should be relieved because our brother Jesus told us that he has gone home to our father to prepare a place for us.^{(John 14:2.)} Lazarus didn't have these words, but we do, and they are our life.^{(John 6:63.)}

What Does It Mean to Be a Child of God? ^{Back to Top ↑}

The children of God are those resurrected into eternal life. As Jesus said, The children of this world marry, and are given in marriage: But they which shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry, nor are given in marriage: Neither can they die any more: for they are equal unto the angels; and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection.^{Luke 20:34b-36} The children of God are equal to the angels and are the children of the resurrection.

Additionally, we become the Son of God's brother or sister when we do the will of his Father.^{(Matthew 12:49-50.)} And if the son of God is our brother, then of course we are children of God as well. And since we have to do the will of God to obtain this familial relationship, we are also granted entrance into the kingdom of Heaven.^{(Matthew 7:21.)}

To be one of the these three things means you are also the other two as well: A child of resurrection, a child of God, in the kingdom of Heaven. These three things have the same requirement for obtainment. As such, you cannot have one without having another.

So if you're a child of God, then you have entered into the kingdom of God and will be granted eternal life through the resurrection. This is the will of God as stated by Jesus, And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.^{John 6:39-40}

Why Shall the Peacemakers Be Called the Children of God? ^{Back to Top ↑}

Because the peacemakers only cause peace through doing the will of God. Because they desire for nothing on this world, they cause no strife with anyone. This both makes them peacemakers and the children of God.