Sons of God

Whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life. –John 4:14 (NIV)

Jesus came to earth on a mission to rescue, redeem, and restore. The ultimate peacemaker, He brought reconciliation between God and His creation by choosing to lay down His life as the once-for-all sacrifice for sin. But I’m not Jesus. Even if I were to die for someone, I couldn’t save their soul. So what does it look like for me to be a peacemaker?

Jesus answered that question in John 4, though the word “peace” is never mentioned there. The woman at the well in Samaria did not expect to find the Christ that day. She didn’t know Jesus, but she knew his type, and she wasn’t just about to take any superior, judgmental attitude from him. She tried to make issues of gender, ethnicity, and religion. Jesus did not shy away from any of that. At one point, she became concerned that her sinful past would stop the conversation. Jesus stayed in the game and spoke truth to her, right down to the intimate details of her relationship history.

The woman said, “I know that Messiah” (called Christ) “is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.”
Then Jesus declared, “I, the one speaking to you—I am he.” –John 4:25-26 (NIV)

Jesus was determined to make the main thing the main thing. He addressed all her challenges without allowing any of them to interfere with the bottom line: She was face to face with Messiah – the Promised One! Would she realize it? He did not mock or disrespect her. He didn’t turn away. He didn’t pity her. She became the very first person to hear the confirmation of His Messiahship given as a public announcement.

Once she understood and believed that fact, she was never the same. Male/female did not matter. Jew/Samaritan did not matter. Jerusalem/Mt. Gerizim did not matter. Even her past failures, the insurmountable millstone that had weighed down most of her adult life, were redeemable. Freedom and peace as a disciple of Jesus became her new identity.

I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest. –John 4:35b (NIV)

Do you see why Jesus called peacemakers "children of God"? When we “make peace”, we are emulating the Son of God. It does not require that we deny, or compromise, or dance around truth. Peacemakers acknowledge the side issues, but refuse to allow them to become reasons to stop the conversation. Peacemakers listen. Peacemakers empathize. Peacemakers acknowledge people as image-bearers of our Father and treat them with dignity. Peacemakers keep inviting people back to the reality of Jesus. Seeing that reality, some will come to know Him. Peacemakers stay present through the discovery process.

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. -Philippians 4:4-7 (NIV)