Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Blessed are the Peacemakers

Matthew 5:9 says, Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God. A peacemaker by definition is one who tries to make peace, especially by reconciling parties who disagree, quarrel, or fight. Jesus clearly taught that his disciples to do this (Matthew 5:39-42; 18:15-17).

As Christians, we are called to be peacemakers. Paul said in Romans 12:18  If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. The writer of Hebrews said  Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.

To illustrate what God can do with a peacemaker, I'm reminded of a story of Saint Telemachus who was a monk that lived in the 4th century. He felt God saying to him, "Go to Rome." He was in a cloistered monastery. He put his possessions in a sack and set out for Rome. When he arrived in the city, people were thronging in the streets. He asked why all the excitement and was told that this was the day that the gladiators would be fighting and killing each other in the coliseum, the day of the games, the circus.  He thought to himself, "Four centuries after Christ and they are still killing each other, for enjoyment?" He ran to the coliseum and heard the gladiators saying, "Hail to Ceasar, we die for Ceasar" and he thought, "this isn't right." He jumped over the railing and went out into the middle of the field, got between two gladiators, held up his hands and said "In the name of Christ, forbear." The crowd protested and began to shout, "Run him through, Run him through." A gladiator came over and hit him in the stomach with the back of his sword. It sent him sprawling in the sand. He got up and ran back and again said, "In the name of Christ, forbear." The crowd continued to chant, "Run him through." One gladiator came over and plunged his sword through the little monk's stomach and he fell into the sand, which began to turn crimson with his blood. One last time he gasped out, "In the name of Christ forbear." A hush came over the 80,000 people in the coliseum. Soon a man stood and left, then another and more, and within minutes all 80,000 had emptied out of the arena. It was the last known gladiatorial contest in the history of Rome (January 1, 404 AD).

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