¹⁴ Pursue peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no one will see the Lord.

Life of faith includes pursuing peace. Remember the first eleven chapters of Hebrews beautifully laid out the case for faith in Christ who is superior to the angels, Moses, the Law, the priesthood, the tabernacle and the entire Levitical sacrificial system. He is the fulfillment of the promise to Abraham to bring blessing to all nations. That blessing involves peace, no small task in this sin-cursed, fallen world, filled with conflict, persecution and strife.

Jesus, as we have already seen, is a priest in the order of Melchizedek, who was king of Salem, which means “King of Peace” (Heb 7:2). To his disciples He said, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God” (Matt 5:9). At His birth, the angelic messengers announced, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased” (Luke 2:14). But as He approached His rejection by His people, He grieved over Jerusalem, “If you had known in this day, even you, the things which make for peace! But now they have been hidden from your eyes” (Luke 19:42). His people the Jews violently rejected their Peacemaker.

This must have resonated in the minds of the readers of the book of Hebrews, for in fact, they were saved out of that system that rejected the King of Peace. But, now as faithful followers of the Peacemaker, God is at work in their lives, training them through their trials and difficulties, so that they will produce the “peaceful fruit of righteousness” (vs. 11). As Christians, followers of Christ, we must get with His program and do our part. Ours is not to just endure the hardships of life and the persecution from religious unbelievers (like those still under the law), but we are to “pursue peace with all men.” And that includes our persecutors. Does this not reflect the very words of Christ when He said, “Make friends quickly with your opponent at law while you are with him on the way …” (Mt 5:25)? And, “I say to you, do not resist an evil person; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also” (Mt 5:39).

Peacemaking is wrapped up in sanctification, for we are never more truly set apart like Christ than when we are making peace. Is that not the ultimate goal of the Creator, an earth-age length effort to restore His image-bearers to the right relationship with Himself? That is, truly, the ultimate peace, which we as His followers should emulate now. This is sanctification, being set apart for Christ.

Lord, thank You for making peace with me. I commit to becoming more like You by being a peace maker to those with whom I am in conflict.