TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:9-10
Read: Matthew 5:1-10
Listen: Matthew 5
TODAY’S MESSAGE
This week, we see Jesus continue his description of the blessed life by encouraging his followers to be peacemakers and to endure any persecution that comes their way. Jesus’s disciples were an eclectic group. The group included a set of brothers known as the “Sons of Thunder,” a former tax collector and a member of an extremist religious sect. This group probably needed to be reminded to be peacemakers. Jesus tells them that the people who choose to be peacemakers live in the life of blessing he offers.
Jesus offers the same life of blessing to us. As we follow Jesus, we can choose to be peacemakers or to escalate conflict. Jesus encourages us to promote peace. In a different time of teaching, Jesus says that if the Christian community is united and loves each other—it shows the world God’s love (John 17:20-23). Peacemaking seems to play an important role in reflecting God’s love to the world.
One practical way to be a peacemaker is to change how we respond when someone is in a conflict with someone. Instead of promoting the conflict, we can promote peace with phrases like, “Wow. I’m so sorry. So what did she say when you asked her about it?” or “Yeah, he shouldn’t have said that. Have you been able to forgive him?”
IN YOUR CHAIR TIME TODAY
Consider your relationships and how you respond when someone complains about someone else. Decide to be a peacemaker and ask God to show you how to promote peace in your responses.
NEW TESTAMENT READING PLAN
Join us this year as we read through the New Testament.
Today’s reading is 1 Corinthians 13.
