Week of Jan. 18, 2026
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” –Matthew 5:9-10 (NIV)
This week begins with a remembrance of the legacy and life of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The legacy he leaves is astonishing: a civil rights leader, a preacher, beaten, arrested, and jailed. Yet he kept going. There’s a reason Dr. King’s words still have power and can move us so deeply. His words resonate with the teachings of our Lord Jesus.
Jesus taught about the perceived enemy who actually turns out to be the hero (Good Samaritan, Luke 10:25-37). Jesus met with the outsider woman and disclosed to her the Gospel story that He is the source of living water (John 4). Jesus received the annoying children (Matt. 19:13-15); gave healing touch to the unclean leper (Matt. 8:1-4); and His discipleship group hosted a stange cast of odd-balls, traitors to Hebrew culture, and political zealots. We can imagine today His crew could have both purple-haired liberals and red hat sporting conservatives.
When we look at the teaching and example of the Lord Jesus, we see that barriers to kingdom participation are removed. Even sinners like me and you are compelled to come and feast at King Jesus’ table (Luke 14:23)! Why? Because in the kingdom of Jesus, the divisions that separate desirable and undesirable are rendered as meaningless. Red and yellow, black and white, we are precious in His sight!
Today, we are challenged by Dr. King’s legacy. American culture continues to be obsessed with who’s in and who’s out. The more we preach about being a “Christian nation,” the more our nation seems less Christian. Undesirables are rounded up and sent to Private Prison Inc. Masked and nameless agents shoot indiscriminately and without due process. The rich get richer and the poor get poorer.
The act of being Christian nation is not expressed in how big a crowd we can get to hear preaching that serves a political agenda. Nor is it about winning culture wars. It is expressed in how we are peacemakers. The greatest peacemaker was Christ Jesus who made peace by shedding His blood on a cross. Thankfully the sacrifice that Jesus requires of us is to be “born-again” (John 3); to be born into a heavenly kingdom with heavenly brothers and sisters. Because of His actions, we don’t have to go to a cross. But we must be willing to carry it.
Peacemaking is an intentional act.
May it be so with us.
God’s Blessings,
Matt
Announcements and Other Thoughts:
– In regard to this Sunday’s services, we will keep an eye out on the weather and post an update via email and social media later on this week.
-Build Nights resume Feb. 1, as a reminder, this is a potluck event, so bring a dish to share!