Being known as a peacemaker is a profound honor in heaven, signifying a threat to evil and earning the proud recognition of God as His son or daughter. We are not supposed to be the cause of conflict. Peacemaking requires a meek, merciful, and pure heart that prioritizes God’s glory and the well-being of His people over selfish concerns or earthly prestige. Jesus concludes the Beatitudes by moving from peacemaking to persecution; from reconciling relationships to experiencing rejection and hostility. Blessed are the persecuted for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Jesus says the pure in heart will see God, but purity seems like a very high bar. We know God sees into our hearts because it reflects the “real me” and the “real you.”

We don’t think much about mercy until we need it.  We don’t want to suffer the consequences when we have wronged someone.  But when the shoe is on the other foot, we realize that it is far more satisfying to default to revenge and displays of strength.  Jesus calls us to be merciful though.  Will we obey?

If someone asked you what you hunger for, what would be your answer? Happiness? Time? Comfort? Healthy relationships? Financial security? Peace? Jesus tells us that we are blessed if we hunger and thirst for righteousness.  It’s that piece of us that is bothered by injustice, desires strong character and conduct and longs to be in a right relationship with God.  When we pursue those things, we will move from feeling empty to being satisfied.

Meekness conjures the idea of being a doormat, letting others trample over us. In our world, the meek person is not valued.  But Jesus says the meek will inherit the earth.  We must have the wrong idea of what it means to be meek. Theologian RT Kendall says, “It is the opposite of self-righteousness, arrogance, haughtiness, smugness and defensiveness.” That sounds like something we all need, so how does it look to be meek?