These verses wrap up the Sermon on the Mount bringing it full circle.

The kingdom of heaven gives to the poor in Spirit, filling them up so they may share the kingdom with other people who either have never heard of God’s love and a heavenly kingdom, or those who know but are depleted. Even Jesus went away to quiet places from time to time to be refilled, to reconnect with God in heaven. Jesus also taught his disciples that everyone who does the will of the Father is his brother, mother and sister. When we take the time to be in a place of heavenly peace on earth we are better able to discern what the will of God is for our life and in our present circumstance. We are better able to live according to his will and plan instead of our own. Making peace with God helps us to make peace with other people here on earth. There are many stories about how broken relationships with God and people have been reconciled and restored in Scripture. The most famous is probably that of the Prodigal Son, there are others and I encourage you to read the New Testament and search for those stories.

Jesus was a peacemaker, given as a gift to the whole world to save us from sin (separation from God) It seems to me that the evidence of sin is recognized in the breaking of the commands of God. Jesus summarized the Ten Commandments into two: Love the Lord your God . . . and love your neighbor as yourself. It seems that when we break or fall out of Love with God or self we see evidence of being separated from our neighbors and other people who love us. Have you ever loved someone who it seems doesn’t return your love? I am not speaking about romantic love – I’m speaking more about the kind of love that binds families together. The forgiving and yet commanding love that a a parent has for their children, the kind of love that commands respect. God’s love for us is the same. Perhaps you were raised in a family where your parents worked on making and keeping peace in your family relationships by teaching you as a child how to reconcile with your siblings, parents and friends. Learning this in your family during formative years helps you become a peacemaker in the world of school and work. Not everyone is raised in a family like this, some children are raised in families where they only learn to be quiet, to shut up and put up, with abusive relationships. They may become bullies in school, work and the world, unless someone helps to break the cycle. Jesus came to break the cycle of bullying in families and in the world. Jesus was born to become a peacemaker in the world, and if we choose his call to become one of his disciples, then we are called to become peacemakers. Maybe when Jesus said ‘I will make you fishers of men” he was implying I make you peacemakers.

When Jesus was born he was acknowledged as the Son of God and the Savior of the World, again at the end of his life he was declared to be the son of God. Through him we have all been given the knowledge of our right to become God’s children too.

There are so many stories of Jesus bringing peace into the hearts and minds of people he ministered to. And many stories of his seeking to teach those in authority and those who are wealthy how to be in relationship with those who are ‘beneath’ them in authority or on the social ladder. He taught that they should not lord their authority or wealth over other people. That means they shouldn’t use it to push people around in order to gain more authority or wealth. No bullying in the kingdom of heaven, none of that because there is no peace in that kind of relationship or lifestyle. Nor were people who had less authority to be bullying or mistreating those in leadership over them. Jesus promoted reasoning with one another, he promoted advocating and mediation. These are skills that need to be taught in every generation and organization in the world and in the church. One of the most important skills is listening in order to understand the other person, not listening so you can figure out how to get your way. Listening in order to make peaceful resolutions for the best interest of everyone.

Jesus was persecuted for righteousness sake, there were many who were opposed to him and the manner in which he administered the Scriptures to everyone through word or deed. During his lifetime the Scriptures were read only by a select few who interpreted them for the congregation. Since Jesus, the inspired words and stories have been written down and are available to many people in the church and in the world. And yet, we know there are still some who do not have access to them for a variety of reasons. There are members of the church who have endured not only criticism, but persecutions of all kinds due to their efforts to share the gospel by word and deed with people in need. It can be frustrating to know this is happening in the world still today. The closing ‘paragraph’ or verses in the Sermon are words of encouragement that Jesus spoke to his disciples, those who chose to follow him and do the work that he was doing. Jesus said they would be blessed even when people hated them or spoke evil about them on his account. He encouraged them by telling them their reward would be great in heaven and reminded them that the prophets who had proclaimed the love of God in prior times were persecuted too.

Did you know, that part of being a disciple of Jesus is being a little bit like a prophet? There are big and small prophets, but only One God, only One Jesus Christ, only One Holy Spirit but in all this Oneness, we have come to learn and experience throughout the ages, that there is no limit to God’s love and mercy. Everyone who desires to acknowledge God as God and Jesus Christ as his son and our savior are welcome to come to him, receive mercy and with pure hearts live in peace and unity on earth.

Let us pray:

Lord, thank you for the promise of a heavenly kingdom and for the prophets of the past and the present who follow Jesus Christ and proclaim your love and call people to repentance throughout the world. Thank you for all the gifts of the Holy Spirit and help us to use these gifts in accordance to your will and to your glory. Forgive us for the times we have not done so. Help us to be true peacemakers in our generation, wherever we are and wherever you send us. Continue to pour your Holy Spirit out upon all people, that we may live together in peace and unity on earth. AMEN