Over the last several weeks, we have been looking at each segment of The Sermon on the Mount. Jesus continued to address the crowd:
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.“
(Matthew 5:6, NASB)
Another versions words it a bit differently:
“God blesses those who hunger and thirst for justice, for they will be satisfied.”
(Matthew 5:6, NLT)
Our need for food and water is a need basic to us all. Jesus speaks to the crowd in a manner they would be able to understand.
In those biblical times and region, food and water were not always in abundance or readily available. The people knew what it truly meant to be hungry and thirsty in the natural. They knew what it was to have these needs go unmet.
Jesus also knew the Jewish people would know and understand that the Law instructed them to love God, and to love their neighbor.
And so it is that we will be filled and satisfied as we seek to help and provide for those around us.
In his book, The Good Life, Dr. Derwin L. Gray powerfully and beautifully explains:
“Happy are those who are fattened, gorged, and overflowing with love for God, for themselves, and for their neighbors. Happy are those who partner with God to meet the deep hurts of the world with his deep love. There’s plenty of room at God’s banquet table – all the food and drink you want.”
(from page 112)
As we grow in our desire for justice, it means we grow in our desire to see circumstances made right.
“How blessed are those who keep justice, Who practice righteousness at all times!”
(Psalm 106:3, NASB)
In this verse, we find justice and righteousness are brought together.
Blessed are we when we keep justice and practice righteousness in the dailyness of our lives. As each of us does our part, it is the way we will impact our communities and our world. It is the way we will cause His light to shine in the darkest of times.
Keep justice.
Practice righteousness.
Be blessed!
Last week I shared about humility which is why Lisa Blair’s post resonated so deeply with me. She shared: “Gentleness is not weakness, rather it is strength under control. Gentleness requires humility as we choose to extend grace with restraint, instead of harshness.” Be sure to read “Gentleness – Grace in Action” HERE.
Come, sit a spell. Bring your coffee, your posts, and your thoughts. If you link up, kindly visit those who have drawn up a seat around you.
**This is an edited post which first appeared HERE.
Photo by Gaelle Marcel on Unsplash
“Blessed are we when we keep justice and practice righteousness in the dailyness of our lives. As each of us does our part, it is the way we will impact our communities and our world. It is the way we will cause His light to shine in the darkest of times.” Amen! Absolutely Joanne.
Blessings, Jennifer
I’m struck by the words hunger and thirst here. I’ve always taken this as a desire for personal righteousness, first in salvation and then as we grow to be more like Christ. But the natural outgrowth of that is wanting righteousness and justice for our loved ones and neighbors and the rest of the world. And that shouldn’t be a casual, off-and-on desire, but a hunger and thirst. What a wonderful promise that God fills that desire.
‘overflowing with love for God, for themselves, and for their neighbors’
Wow, yes. This is who we are yearning to be, what we are called to do. There’s a lightness and joy to living this kind of life for Christ.
What a powerful invitation. Thank you, Joanne. I hope you’re having a good week, friend …
Yes, I appreciate your connection between justice and righteousness. The more righteous people are, the more they work for justice for all people. The two go hand in hand. Thanks, Joanne.
Great words, Joanne, while we may find justice and righteousness brought together in Matthew 5:6, I think we also find love. For from the abundance of the heart we speak and act. As we know from God’s character, there is nothing more loving than to live righteously and seek justice. For there we both demonstrate love for God choosing His righteous ways and love for our neighbor as we advocate for the marginalized of society.
I just heard the story of how an unjust judge tried to destroy someone I know. The only way to heal our land is for people to be made right with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. The unrighteousness don’t understand justice.
I love how you translate righteousness/justice as “circumstances made right” – and wrapped it all in loving others and the selflessness of not just wanting our circumstances made right, but the circumstances of those suffering around us. Your insight is a much needed perspective shifter!
In a world where every appetite is affirmed, may we be known as those with an insatiable hunger and thirst to see things right as God is right!