My Son

Matthew 5:9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.

      When Jesus talked to God He always called Him “Abba”. That does not translate to Father, which is a more formal version of the word. It instead is best translated “Daddy”. I grew up in a very loving home where we called our Father “Daddy”. He was our hero and would never miss an opportunity to tell us how much he loved us and that we were the best at whatever it was we were doing. His love and support helped shape his children’s lives in ways that are still bearing much fruit.

      While each of the kids had a given name there was something special when Daddy would call me Son. I was his. His blood was flowing through my veins and his name was mine. I loved it when he called me Son.

      In our verse today the blessing of the Peacemaker is that they are called the “Children of God”. When God looked down at Jesus and stated from the heavens, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” There was no doubt about the authority and position of Jesus. God had placed His seal over Christ’s life.

      We are Peacemakers because our hearts have been renewed by the blood of Jesus. The cross has made a difference in us and New Life has begun. Being a Peacemaker is the way that God’s Children behave. This explanation almost becomes circular. We are born of God and as such we are Peacemakers. We are Peacemakers and so God calls us His children.

      The tense and voice of the proclamation tells us that it is God who is doing the calling. We are not the Sons of God because our Pastor or Priest tells us. We are the Sons of God because Daddy Himself has called us His children. The same voice that spoke the stars into existence and set the world in place has spoken to us. He calls us His own.

      Now that is a reason to rejoice!