Of all the Kingdom values and virtues listed by Jesus in his Sermon on the Mount it is being a peacemaker that we have moved farthest away from. We struggle with some of the others, too – especially being poor – but peacemaking is probably the one we have most difficulty with. Few Christians today would renounce the use of violence even though the church in the first three hundred years of its existence did just that. But being drawn into the Empire – its privileges and powers – changed all that and Jesus’ call for peacemaking was conveniently pushed to the margins of Kingdom life. And if there is one area of international diplomacy that pushes Christians even further away from peacemaking it is the whole issue of the State of Israel and its security.

Today, of course, we find another storm raging over Israel’s use of force in defending its people and land. The boarding of Turkish ships on their way with aid to Gaza and the subsequent loss of lives has thrown up a whole host of important questions about the use of proportionate force by Israel in defending itself. But it has also shown how little objectivity there is in the international community and media over such issues. The condemnation by Turkey has been fierce while still reluctant to accept responsibility for the genocide of Armenians during the First World War. The UK has also been vocal in its reaction against Israel and its stated aim of defending itself against terrorism while still having a 9,000 strong force in Afghanistan for the very same reason. Double standards, it seems, is the standard in times such as these.

Physical violence begins in an angry heart. And there is much anger within Christians over Israel’s rights to land in the Middle East. In fact in my personal experience more anger is generated – on both sides of the argument – over Israel in churches than almost any other issue. And yet we are called to be peacemakers.

In this beatitude, Jesus says that those who make peace are the ones who will be called sons of God. The promise is not that they will become the sons of God but will be referred to as such. That is, they already have this sonship within them by virtue of being followers of Jesus and it is because they are children of their Father and carry his characteristics in their heart that they reflect his peacemaking qualities in the world.

Conflict is one of the main characteristics of life on earth; conflict between humanity brings about the most destruction. Peacemaking as an upside down value of the Kingdom could make a big difference in bringing about real change.