Peralta Plays Peacemaker

In sports, it’s difficult to underestimate the importance of team chemistry. A team can have an abundance of raw talent and skill, but if the players don’t work well together, it will be virtually impossible for that team to reach its full potential.

A prime example of this principle in action over the past couple of seasons has been the New York Mets. Despite owning a roster replete with recognized names in the baseball world, the team has vastly underperformed in each of the past two seasons, at least in part due to lingering issues in the clubhouse.

According to numerous reports, the relationship between star players Francisco Lindor and Juan Soto was icy enough to create an uncomfortable environment for the entire team.

With tensions remaining into this season, starting pitcher Freddy Peralta eventually decided to take on the role of mediator, facilitating a meeting for the two stars to sit down and work through some of their issues.  

According to an article from ESPN, that meeting helped reduce much of the hostility between Soto and Lindor, creating a better atmosphere in the locker room in general.

Though Peralta’s time with the Mets ended recently when he was traded to Tampa Bay, it’s worth taking the time to commend the veteran for the role that he played in attempting to bring peace in a rocky relationship. 

If we’re being honest, we know that trying to bring peace to tumultuous or hostile situations can be very scary and uncomfortable. That’s especially true when we’re one of the parties involved in the conflict.

Often, the temptation is to avoid addressing conflict because it feels too scary, or because we’re so hurt that we don’t immediately want to reconcile with the other individual.

As followers of Jesus, however, we must remember the words that Jesus spoke in Matthew 5:9 (ESV): “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.”

Even if it might be uncomfortable for us, we have been called to be peacemakers who attempt to bring reconciliation when there’s conflict. This certainly doesn’t mean that it would be wise for us to interject ourselves into any and every situation of conflict.

Still, it does mean that we should have a heart that longs to see reconciliation and peace, and that we should take appropriate steps when it’s in our power to do so.

Jesus further emphasized the importance of restoring fractured relationships later in His same sermon, saying in Matthew 5:23-24 (NIV), “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.”

This is a really amazing statement when you think about it. In our modern context, Jesus is essentially saying that it would be better to leave a church service to be reconciled to your brother than to remain when conflict is lingering. 

Having peace in our relationships - especially in our relationships with other believers - is vitally important to God. After all, Jesus said that Christians would be recognized by the love that we have for one another (John 13:35).

There are many ways we can bring peace to our relationships, but one of the primary ways we can be a peacemaker is by mastering the arts of confession and forgiveness.

When we sin against someone else, we should humble ourselves and quickly confess our sin to that person, seeking forgiveness for our offense. On the flip side, when we are sinned against, we should have a heart that delights to extend mercy and forgiveness to others in light of the mercy and forgiveness that has been lavished upon us in Christ. 

As we seek to make peace with others, we allow our relationships to strengthen, while also giving the world a powerful witness to the power of the gospel.

Today, let’s do our best to put the principles of peacemaking into action wisely. Let’s be quick to ask for forgiveness, quick to forgive, and eager to always maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace (Ephesians 4:3).

Like the Mets, let’s deal with and move past the tension ruining the “clubhouse!”

I’m Matt Osborne, and you can UNPACK that!

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank you for giving me the greatest reconciliation of all by making peace between You and me through the blood of Christ. Please help me to live my life as a peacemaker. Help me to be humble in confessing my sins to others, and merciful in forgiving others when I have been wronged. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.