Jesus says "Blessed are the peacemakers." We really appreciate this saying when it is about world peace doesn't have much to do with us directly. But Jesus is imminently practical. Peace begins in our relationships.
But I say to you, whoever is angry with his brother
will be liable to judgment
The responsibility is certainly on us to avoid giving others a reason to be upset with us. But the responsibility is still on us to seek a resolution when a brother has something against us, whether we were truly to blame. We still need to seek reconciliation in relationships even if it is only the other person holding something against us. We still need to be peacemakers. Perhaps it isn't always possible. But the priority of such attempts is clear.
if you bring your gift to the altar,
and there recall that your brother
has anything against you,
leave your gift there at the altar,
go first and be reconciled with your brother,
and then come and offer your gift.
When others have something against us, whether we caused it or not, how we handle it usually has more to do with the possibility of long-term peace than what the offense itself actually was. If we double down on our rights and let passion and pride dictate our actions we will find peace elusive. But if we are willing to put reconciliation as our first priority we are often able to experience peace. This peace between individuals is the only basis for peace on earth.
What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? (see James 4:1)
Jesus is our example in this. He sought peace with us even though he was faultless and even though we didn't really want it.
We may have to wait for the rain from heaven that can give us the new growth we need in relationships which have become barren. But if this is so we must keep watching the skies.
"Climb up and look out to sea," he directed his servant,
who went up and looked, but reported, "There is nothing."
Seven times he said, "Go, look again!"
And the seventh time the youth reported,
"There is a cloud as small as a man's hand rising from the sea."
Listen to this psalm as a description of hearts renewed by grace:
Thus have you prepared the land:
drenching its furrows, breaking up its clods,
Softening it with showers,
blessing its yield.
We can't be peacemakers apart from God who is the source of peace. Let us watch for the clouds on the horizon and celebrate the rain of grace.
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