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andhi was “The Father of the Nation, the Apostle of Peace” in the eyes of some men and women.
He was called the Mahatma (“great soul”). He was considered India’s conscience. His ideas
and approach to nonviolent confrontation, or civil disobedience, not only captured independence for India,
but have influenced many political activists throughout the world. Yet, ironically, he was assassinated in
Delhi on January 30, 1948, by a Hindu fanatic who thought he was pro-Muslim and pro-Pakistan. Over a million
people attended his funeral, and he was cremated at Raj Ghat on the banks of the Holy Yamuna River. He pursued
civil liberation from the British and found it. Down through the ages of time, our world has known great men
in the military, in science, and in the arts and philosophy. Regardless of their contribution or success, almost
all have desired peace. Yet, peace has been momentary and illusive. There has only been One who has offered
real peace - spiritual peace, and He is Jesus. In the Sermon on the Mount He told us who have found peace,
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. (NASB) Matthew 5:9 The Peacemakers. After reading the Sermon on the Mount, some have thought that
Jesus was a pacifist - someone who yielded to everyone. Why? Because Jesus encouraged His listeners to not
murder, nor be angry, or hate (Matthew 5:21-26). In Matt. 5:38-42 He calls us to defer to others with
You have heard that it was said, ‘AN EYE FOR AN EYE, AND A TOOTH FOR A TOOTH.’ But I say to you, do not resist him who is evil; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if anyone wants to sue you, and take your shirt, let him have your coat also. And whoever shall force you to go one mile, go with him two. Give to him who asks of you, and do not turn away from him who wants to borrow from you. (NASB) Matt. 5:38-42 Was Jesus a pacifist? Listen to Him in Matthew 10:34,
Do not think that I came to bring peace on the earth; I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. (NASB) Matt. 10:34 Or, how about
Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted up to the skies? No, you will go down to the depths. (NIV) Matt. 11:21-23 Speaking of the religious leaders of His day, He said,
Woe to you, because you are like unmarked graves, which men walk over without knowing it. (NIV) Luke 11:44 These are words that can incite anger. If Jesus is not a pacifist, what does He mean by “peacemaker”? The
answer is not in the English reading Bible. The answer lies in the Greek word Jesus uses for peacemaker - a
rare Greek word that ONLY occurs here in Matthew 5:9. The Greek word has the idea of “one who restores peace,
favors good understanding, settles quarrels and stops conflicts.” It was a word used only of emperors who bring
about peace. A peacemaker is one who comes alongside, who seeks to understand the reasons of the conflict and
helps two people to come to peace.
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