To start the week’s devotion, answer this question: In general, who are the peacemaker types in this world, those who find themselves between opposing parties?

There are judges or arbiters, like in divorce cases; umpires between teams at odds over a call; teachers between hostile students, parents between quibbling siblings (sometimes siblings between parents). Then there are the police officers in domestic disputes and negotiators in business deals.

Now ask yourself this: How often are both sides satisfied with the peacemaker's efforts? Someone almost always feels cheated, don't they? Peacemaker types can end up being spoken of derisively – not highly. In dealing with multiple parties, peacemakers often face ungrateful, manipulative and conniving people on at least one side -- sometimes both. And this is before, during, and after the efforts to bring peace. Truth can be hard to root out.

Jesus, the Prince of Peace and Truth Himself, also faced ungrateful, manipulative and conniving people before, during, and after His efforts to bring peace through His life-and-death efforts. Peacemakers are in good company with Jesus, the Ultimate Peacemaker – and like Jesus, the Son of God – they are called children of God.