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Peacemakers
by John Bishop, Director of Spiritual Formation, based on this week's MS/HS Chapel
This week, we continue with the seventh beatitude found in Matthew 5:9: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.”
This week, we continue with the seventh beatitude found in Matthew 5:9: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.”
What makes someone the “alpha?” Is it strength? Size? Intelligence? Speed? Charm?
I once heard a statement from a psychologist that really stuck with me. In discussing the traits of effective leadership, he referenced research on primates—specifically chimpanzees. He said, “The chimpanzee who is most successful in leading the troop is not usually the biggest or strongest, but the one who is best at building consensus.”
That insight is powerful. It reveals that real leadership isn’t about intimidation or control—it’s about influence. It’s about creating unity. True leaders are those others want to follow, not those they’re simply afraid to disobey.
History echoes this point. A tyrant may rise quickly through fear, force, or manipulation, but their power is usually short-lived. Dictators are often overthrown, and their legacies marked by destruction. Respect, by contrast, can’t be seized—it must be earned. And over time, only those who lead with wisdom and compassion are truly honored.
Jesus takes this one step further. He says that peacemakers—those who intentionally seek to bring people together, to mend brokenness, and to resolve conflict—will be called children of God. Not just respected leaders. Not just good people. Children of God.
That’s a sacred title. And to bear it, we must learn the art of peace—not just keeping it but making it. That means stepping into tension, being a voice of calm in the chaos, choosing understanding over escalation, and seeking restoration where others seek revenge.
Being a peacemaker doesn’t mean avoiding hard truths or pretending everything is fine. It means working for healing when relationships break, and for unity when differences divide.
Are you building peace in your world? Do others experience more harmony, more grace, and more unity because of you? Because Jesus says those who make peace reflect the very heart of God—they show the family resemblance.
Westminster Christian School, located in Palmetto Bay, Florida, is a private, college-preparatory school for children from preschool through twelfth grade.