Evening, March 17, edited from Spurgeon’s Morning and Evening

“Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called sons of God.” — Matthew 5:9

This is the seventh of the beatitudes, and seven was the number of perfection among the Hebrews. It may be that the Savior placed the peacemaker the seventh upon the list because he most nearly approaches the perfect man in Christ Jesus. He who would have perfect blessedness, so far as it can be enjoyed on earth, must attain to this seventh benediction, and become a peacemaker. There is a significance also in the position of the text. The verse which precedes it speaks of the blessedness of “the pure in heart: for they shall see God.” It is good to understand that we are to be “first pure, then peaceable.” Our peaceableness is never to result in a compact with sin, or toleration of evil. We must set our faces like flint against everything which is contrary to God and his holiness: with purity being in our souls a settled matter, we can go on to peaceableness. Indeed, the verse that follows also seems to have been put there on purpose. However peaceable we may be in this world, yet we shall be misrepresented and misunderstood: and no surprise, for even the Prince of Peace, by his very peacefulness, brought fire upon the earth. He himself, though he loved mankind, and did no ill, was “despised and forsaken of men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief.” Unless, therefore, the peaceable in heart should be surprised when they meet with enemies, it is added in the following verse, “Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Thus, the peacemakers are not only pronounced to be blessed, but they are surrounded all 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 your sake, we are persecuted.