Blessed Are Those Who Hunger and Thirst for Righteousness

Matthew 5:6

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,

For they shall be filled.

The first thing I want to do is find out what this righteousness is that Jesus is referring to. This can be found in the very same chapter, in the very same sermon from Christ. In Matthew 5:20 Jesus says, “For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.” Then He goes on to explain how that is to be.

In verses 21-26 He tells us that we must not only not kill, but also not be angry at our brother, and also seek peace with him. In verses 27-30 we are commanded not only to not commit adultery, but also not to look at person lustfully. In verses 31-32 we are forbidden to condone divorce because there is a legal allowance for it in the Old Testament. We must stay far away from divorce and only perform it if it is necessary. In verses 33-37 we are not only commanded to keep our oaths, but also be honest and believable. In verses 38-42 it is forbidden to take revenge, but instead we must turn the other cheek, and return good for evil. And finally, in verses 43-48 we should not only love our neighbour, but more, we should love our enemies and pray for them.

It is clear from this that righteousness involves more than just obeying the law. It means staying radically clear of what has been forbidden. It’s not just enough to not do what is forbidden. Righteousness means staying as pure as possible.

Today, too often, there is the mindset of, ‘how much can I get away with without going over the edge?’ That’s wrong. That’s unrighteous. Stay clear of the edge.

Now Jesus says we have to hunger and thirst for this righteousness. Blessed are those who earnestly desire staying clear of the edge. Hunger and thirst for it. That’s not reluctance. That’s an intense longing.

Notice that Jesus did not say, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for God.” That’s not enough. You have to be righteous too. Matthew 6:33 says, “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness.” God’s righteousness. Not only God Himself. Look also at how Jesus finishes His sermon in Matthew 7:21-23:

“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’

They called Him Lord. They prophesied. They performed miracles. But they were turned away from the Kingdom of Heaven because they practiced lawlessness. They desired God. They did not desire His righteousness. They were not hungry and thirsty for righteousness.

If you are seeking satisfaction, if you are looking to be filled, hunger and thirst for God’s righteousness. It’s never too late to change your diet. Eat righteousness. Drink it. You will be filled. Not just with temporal but with eternal satisfaction. 

See the full series on The Beatitudes here.