The Beatitudes Part 15

INTRO: We are in beatitude seven, and we have been looking at the peacemaker. Unlike Samuel Colt’s new pistol called the Peacemaker because it could be loaded with a number of metal cased shells that could quickly be fired to get rid of enemies, God’s peace makers are the poor in spirit; those who grow to be pure in heart. Much of the Arab world today is hoping to make peace with Israel, by annihilating them. Annihilating one’s enemies is one way to make peace, but is a selfish peace.
Consider how differently God works. God’s plan was ultimately revealed in His only begotten Son. Instead of having His Son kill His enemies, He allowed His enemies to kill Him! God said that if His kingdom was of this world, then His servants would fight (John 18:36). Who would have thought of setting up a kingdom by dying? Who would have thought of setting up a kingdom by sending out your followers as sheep to the slaughter? Well, the devil couldn’t believe his ears either! He thought that if he could only kill his enemy, the Christ; he would have won the battle. But he found out to his great surprise and horror that by killing the Christ, he had set up Christ’s kingdom and caused his own defeat. First Corinthians 2:8 says that if the princes of this world had known the Lord’s plan, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.