Matthew 5:3-12
Verse 6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
We continue our journey through the list of beatitudes Jesus gave to His disciples and see how they help us make eternal resolutions.
Today’s beatitude seems so simple that we may think it can be skipped but this is one of the most important things for us to remember and apply to our lives. While we know we are supposed to seek God and His righteous ways we don’t often actually put in the effort. Jesus said that those who hunger and thirst after righteousness will be filled, not given a taste, but filled.
Maybe the reason that we aren’t seeking Him and His righteousness is that we don’t want to be filled. There is a lot of responsibility that comes with being filled and we may not want that level of commitment. We are willing to accept His forgiveness and we are fine with some people knowing we are Christians but won’t being filled make us seem weird to the world? We don’t want that!
Jesus is telling His disciples that those that are willing to go all in are the ones that will be blessed. Half-way is as good as not committed at all. He doesn’t want’ followers that are Sunday only Christians. He wants followers that He knows He can trust to be concerned with His mission. This hungering and thirsting for righteousness is not simply a duty to our Lord but should spring from a heartfelt desire to seek Him and then share Him with others.
When we love someone, truly love them, we will seek to know them and their ways. We won’t settle for partial or superficial knowledge, we will want to know as much as possible. Shouldn’t the same be true of knowing the Lord’s righteousness? If we are satisfied with basic knowledge we are showing the truth of our heart for Him.
One thing we need to remember of course is that this isn’t a matter of working for our salvation, but rather a result of our salvation. It is us being so thankful for our salvation and His choice of us that we can’t help but seek Him in the fullest possible way so we can be filled.
Making It Personal
How hungry and thirsty are you for righteousness? How intentional are you about seeking Him? Are you willing to be filled?
Making It Personal Kids
How can you show Jesus that you want to know Him better? Do you do those things? What will you do today to show Jesus that you are wanting to follow Him?
Closing Prayer
Father, we confess the times that we only half-heartedly follow You. Give us an ever growing desire to seek You and Your ways and then to live them out. In Jesus’ name, amen.
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