The Beautitudes series — Matthew 5:3–12
Verse 6
By Jerry Roberson
Have you ever had a craving for something you wanted but could not find it, and then you sought to fill that craving with something else but were left feeling empty? This is the contrast we find hidden in Matthew 5:6.
Jesus’ private ministry has ended and His public ministry has just begun. According to Matthew 4:23–25, there was a multitude of people — including the sick and afflicted, the demon possessed and tormented, the epileptic and paralytic — gathered around Jesus. It was amazing. There was no social division, no caste system, just people who had gathered to hear Jesus. And Jesus, seeing the multitude and knowing their deepest need and craving, went up on a mountain and began to teach the Sermon on the Mount (Matt. 5:1).
There are many different thoughts about the meaning of this message. Some suggest this is God’s plan for salvation, and if we ever hope to spend eternity in heaven, then we must live according to this message. Others suggest this message is more for the nations of the world. This is truly how our world can live in peace and harmony, by following Jesus’ message. Still others suggest this message has no application at all for us today but rather pertains to the millennial reign indicated by the Book of Revelation. There is a group that believes this message has a deeper meaning and that it did apply to them, as well to us today.
Definition of righteousness
But some also suggest a deeper meaning that centers around one word — “righteousness.” Many consider Matthew 5:20 to be the central verse in understanding this entire section of Scripture and I would agree.
Righteousness is whatever conforms to the revealed will of God, according to Vine’s Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words.
But how does this apply to our deepest cravings?
First we must look at the words themselves. Both “hunger” and “thirst” are present tense verbs. This carries the idea of being hungry and thirsty in this very moment. I am hungry in the morning, at lunch and then again at supper. This entire process then occurs in the same manner every day of our lives. So it is a continual hunger and thirst that never ceases.
Next we look at various options we have to fulfill these needs. Everything around us is vying for the opportunity to fill this craving within us. Let me explain what I mean.
Little Debbie Snack Cakes — I personally love them — strive to create a craving within you. You pass by the aisle loaded down with these goodies and it seeks to appeal to your sweet tooth.
Other brands such as Costa, Apple and Michael Kors strive to create a craving within you. These brands seek to capture your attention to buy what you don’t need with money you don’t have to impress other people — and some of those people you don’t even like.
The world strives to create a craving within you. It seeks to proclaim that you deserve it, that you are not hurting anyone and no one will ever know. The world entices us to fulfill our desires — envy, vengeance, intimacy and social status — in ways contrary to what we find in Scripture. It is an enticement to fulfill these desires instantly and in any manner possible.
But each one of these options leaves us unfulfilled.
But here Jesus explains how we can be filled with righteousness. Righteousness is whatever conforms to the revealed will of God, right? Here we discover what we have been looking for and what will wholly satisfy us — His righteousness. We should all know the general will of God.
It begins with salvation.
Salvation provides for our basic needs through forgiveness, a new start, purpose and hope for the future. We can find all of these things when we acknowledge that we have sought to fulfill our appetites contrary to the will of God. Once we acknowledge this we can ask our Lord to forgive us, standing on the promise of Romans 10:9–11: “Whoever confesses Jesus as Lord and Savior will be saved.”
It begins here but it does not end here. There is so much more to this concept of hungering and thirsting for righteousness. It means to allow the Word of God to transform your life so that you will see sin as our Lord views it. We would then have a desire to abstain from it or, as Paul pens so many times, “flee or run from sin.” This leads us to righteousness.
This can only take place by reading and meditating on the Word of God. Careful study will ensure that we know and see the difference between what is acceptable in society and what is righteous before the Lord.
Responding in obedience
But reading will only take us so far if we do not obey what we have read. As a pastor, one of my favorite responses following a message is, “I sure wish ol’ so and so were here to listen to your message, preacher.” We need to realize that what we hear and read applies to our lives. Our Lord expects us to respond in obedience. He expects us to change and not someone else.
Salvation is complete when we share with others what Jesus Christ has done for us. We are a blessed people. Our Lord has done so much for us, yet we act as if He has told us, like the leper in Matthew 8:4, not to tell anyone. He has commanded us to share (see Matt. 28:18–20) because there are so many who are looking and longing for what will completely satisfy them, and we have experienced the answer.
Jesus said, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for (long for, search for) righteousness, for they will be filled.” You, my friend, are just one step away. Don’t delay. Come today.
Editor’s Note — Jerry Roberson is pastor of Chatom Baptist Church. He earned his bachelor’s degree from The Baptist College of Florida in Graceville, master’s degree from Luther Rice College and Seminary in Lithonia, Georgia, and doctorate from Southwest Bible College and Seminary in Humble, Texas. He has been serving in ministry for more than 19 years. He and his wife, Monica, have three children.
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