Blessed are the Peacemakers

This entire summer we are studying the Beatitudes in Matthew 5- the beginning of the famous Sermon on the Mount. Yesterday, the message was on 'Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God."

Elsewhere in the sermon on the mount, Jesus uses the phrase "sons of God." He says this: "Love your enemies and pray for those that persecute you, that you may be called sons of God." So, all you Algebra nuts out there- if A=C and B=C, then B=C. If peacemakers are "sons of God," and people that love their enemies and pray for those that persecute are "sons of God"- then peacemakers are people that love their enemies and pray for people who persecute them.

I told a story about my run-in with a person I can't stand and how God was calling me to love him and pray for him. The part of the message where I failed, though, was when I left out the example of Jesus in living His own teaching.

Scripture tells us that while Jesus was being crucified, punished without reason, condemned by power-hungry hypocrites masquerading as religious people, He said a simple and profound statement. He said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." Once again, Jesus lived His own teaching, even at the point of death.

If a Christian is someone who does the things Jesus would do if Jesus were in his shoes, then a Christian is someone who loves his enemies and prays for those that persecutes him. I would also add that being a peacemaker means that you walk in humility, not insisting on your own way or taking offense at every little thing. It takes great humility to pray for someone you can't stand or who has treated you wrongly, and some people simply choose not to do it. However, Jesus doesn't give us that option. He is not making nice little suggestions on how to make the world better- He is showing us what it means to be a Christian. If you are a Christian, you will be a peacemaker. Easier said than done, but not only has Jesus given us the instruction; He has given us the example to follow.

It's all about . . . . . . . . . Jesus

As I was sitting here, wondering what to write for my first blog on this site, I tried to think about what is of most importance. Ideally, the things of most importance to me SHOULD be the things of most value: faith, relationships with people, honesty, living with passion and vision, etc.

That is nowhere near the case, at least with me. I tend to spend my time and money (basically all my resources) on things that have no value whatsoever. I like to watch TV, take Facebook quizzes (although they are getting a little redundant- do I REALLY need to know what 80's Chick Flick movie I am?), watch movies, etc. If a space alien came down to earth and was given the task of following me around for a week so that at the end of the week he could report back to home base what was most important to me, he would have some interesting stories.

I doubt he would say the one thing I would want him to say: Jesus. I doubt he would seriously see Jesus as having a great deal of value to me. Everyone assumes that because you are a minister and can stand up and preach a sermon on Sunday that Jesus is constantly on your mind, consistently followed, and loved and adored beyond imagine. I wish this were true, and I wish this were true for you as well.

The reason I wish this were true is because I want my life spent on things of eternal and lasting value. I want my life to be spent on things that have infinite value and worth, not on some fleeting, temporary, invaluable waste. For me, the person of eternal and lasting value, the person of infinite worth, is Jesus Christ.

I am 35 years old now- approaching middle age. The years are going by quicker and quicker and with each passing day, I am reminded of the immortal words of John Piper: "Don't Waste Your Life!" I have a choice- I can squander my time, my passions, my energy, my money, etc on worthless, invaluable things like TV, video games, details in the life of the latest fallen celebrity, or anything else this world throws at you, trying to get you to waste your time on it. Or, I can show wisdom beyond my years and set my heart on lasting, enduring, eternal pursuits that fulfill and satisfy beyond the immediate.

Lord, give me an undivided heart (Psalm 86) so that I may pursue you with a singular love and passion. Keep me from distractions and worthless detours as I seek Your heart, and let me be able to say at the end of my life, "It's all about Jesus."