Matthew 5:9

“‘Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.'”

This is the seventh of the beatitudes — and at the time when Christ said this, seven was the number of perfection in the Hebrew culture. Maybe Jesus placed the peacemaker in position number seven because the peacemaker most nearly approaches the perfect man in Christ. He who would be blessed — blessed to perfection so far as it can be enjoyed here on earth — must attain to this and become a peacemaker.

There is also significance in the position of the seventh beatitude. Matthew 5:8 says, “blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.” Jesus is letting us know that we first must be pure and then peaceable.

As CH Spurgeon puts it, “we must set our faces like flints against everything which is contrary to God and his holiness: purity being in our souls a settled matter, we can go on to peaceableness.”

The verse that follows our call to being peacemakers is strategically placed as well. Matthew 5:10 says, “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” This reminds us that however great of a peacemaker we may be in this world, we will be misrepresented and misunderstood as Jesus Christ Himself was misrepresented and misunderstood.

“Thus, the peacemakers are not only pronounced to be blessed, but they are compassed about with blessings. Lord, give us grace to climb to this seventh beatitude! Purify our minds that we may be ‘first pure, then peaceable,’ and fortify our souls, that our peaceableness may not lead us into cowardice and despair, when for they sake we are persecuted.”

Think about it …