 |
| Experience the story: click the image above to listen |
The Daily Devotional
Friday, February 20, 2026
The Mark of the Peacemaker: Living the Symbol
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” — Matthew 5:9
Introduction
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus paints a portrait of the Kingdom of Heaven—a kingdom defined not by power or conquest, but by humility, mercy, and purity of heart. Right in the center of these Beatitudes, He places a high calling upon His followers: to be peacemakers.
Centuries later, on February 21, 1958, a designer named Gerald Holtom sat down to create a logo for the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament. He sketched a simple circle containing lines derived from semaphore signals, intended to be a visual protest against the most destructive weapons of his time. That design became the universally recognized peace symbol. While Holtom created a mark to stand against destruction, Jesus invites us into something even deeper: a life that stands for restoration. The peace symbol reminds us that the desire for wholeness is written into our history, but the Beatitudes remind us that true peace requires a specific kind of architect—one who builds bridges where others dig trenches.
Reflection
It is tempting to think of "peace" as simply the absence of noise or conflict—a quiet room, a calm day, or avoiding a difficult conversation. But the biblical concept of peace (shalom) is far more robust. It is the presence of wholeness, justice, and right relationship. When Jesus calls us "blessed" for being peacemakers, He isn't asking us to be passive or merely "nice." He is calling us to the courageous, Spirit-shaped work of entering broken situations and weaving them back together.
Peacemaking is rarely glamorous. It usually happens in the mundane friction of ordinary life. Consider the checkout line at the grocery store—a common modern testing ground. Perhaps the cashier is new and moving slowly, the scanner is glitching, and the customer ahead of you is tapping their foot, sighing loudly, and making cutting remarks. The air feels heavy with irritation.
In that moment, the passive person stares at their phone to avoid the awkwardness. The aggressor joins in the complaining. But the peacemaker steps into the gap. It might look like offering a genuine, warm smile to the flustered cashier, speaking a word of patience to the angry customer, or simply radiating a calm presence that lowers the temperature of the room.
These small choices are the bricks of peacemaking. It involves listening to understand rather than to rebut. It means refusing to use sarcasm as a weapon in a family text thread. It looks like being the first to apologize, even when you are only 10% wrong, simply to clear the path for connection. By doing so, we reflect the family resemblance of God, who did not wait for us to be perfect before He sought peace with us.
Application
Practice the "First Move."
Peacemaking often stalls because we wait for the other person to fix things or calm down. Today, look for one opportunity to make the first move toward repair or kindness.
If there is tension in your home, be the first to lower your voice.
If there is a misunderstanding at work, be the first to ask a curious, non-defensive question like, "Can you help me understand your perspective?" rather than assuming the worst.
If you encounter a stranger’s frustration, be the first to offer a word of grace.
Conclusion
The peace symbol, designed nearly seventy years ago, remains a powerful icon of hope. Yet, as followers of Jesus, we know that symbols alone cannot heal the world. Peace is not just something we display or wish for; it is something we practice. It is a daily vocation. When we choose repair over being "right," and mercy over judgment, we show the world that we belong to the Prince of Peace.
Prayer
Gracious God, molder of our hearts, thank You for making peace with us through Your Son, Jesus. We ask that You would form us into true peacemakers today. When we face conflict, grant us a spirit that is gentle enough to listen but brave enough to speak the truth in love. Make us steady when the world around us is anxious, and quick to repair what is broken in our relationships. Help us to carry Your peace into our homes, our workplaces, and our neighborhoods, so that in our way of living, others might see a reflection of Your love. Amen.
Devotional by: Kenny Sallee, ThM — Deming, NM, USA
The Bible texts are from the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) Bible, copyright © 1989, 1993, the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
No comments:
Post a Comment