Jesus’ fourth statement in His famous Beatitudes sermon resonated with nearly everyone in the crowd that day.

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled” (Matthew 5:6). Jesus’statement meant far more to people in ancient Israel than it does to us today.

If we miss a meal or two, we may say, “I’m starving!” Of course, we don’t believe that. Few of us have really known hunger that threatens our health or our lives. As to water, it’s accessible by a simple turn of the tap.

Not so during Jesus’ day.

Working men in Palestine earned barely enough to sustain life. The average person who listened to Jesus that day ate meat only once a week. The women of that time walked a minimum of 1.6 kilometres to fetch water.

Hunger and thirst presented real threats to everyone in the crowd listening to Jesus preach. So, they didn’t hear, “If you want a snack and a soft drink,” they heard, “If you haven’t eaten in several days and are faint from hunger and thirst.”

Righteousness has as much to do with treating others with kindness and compassion as it does with worshipping God. Jeanette Levellie

Straighten Up!

The word Jesus used in this statement for “righteousness” means “upright.” Those of us who follow Jesus deeply desire to live the way God wants us to live. Because He’s not only our God but also our Father, we want to please Him by acting in an upright manner—obeying His instructions given to us in the Bible, honouring Him with our actions and thoughts, and treating others in ways that mirror His love.

We want to reflect the heart of God so others will crave what we have: a relationship with a loving, caring Father. So, righteousness has as much to do with treating others with kindness and compassion as it does with worshipping God. In fact, showing respect to our neighbours is a form of worshiping the God who created them in His image.

As the Deer

We often sing a song at our church called As the Deer. It’s a quote from Psalm 42:1. “As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God.” The Psalmist didn’t ask God for fame or riches or even peace of mind. More than anything, this person craved fellowship with God. To the point of desperation, like a deer might need water during a drought.

Jesus told His listeners that day and us today, “If you crave a relationship with God, He will fill you to overflowing with Himself.” Imagine!

I want to be one of those people who says, “God, I long to know You like someone dying of hunger and thirst!” I want the Lord to fill me up with more of His wisdom, love and power. I want to live in the centre of God’s heart.

This is the fourth article in ourseries on the Beatitudes, key teachings from the Sermon on the Mount (see Matthew 5-7), Jesus’ first sermon during His earthly ministry. Read the third article at https://salvationist.ca/articles/blessed-are-the-meek/

Photo: Maria Marganingsih/stock.Adobe.com

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