#4 ~ Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. ~ Matthew 5:6
Each beatitude could stand on its own, but the beatitudes are not a collection of unrelated statements. They are linked in an unbroken chain, each one building on the previous truth. The first several Beatitudes deal with the condition of the heart; the second set pertains to our relationship with the Lord; the final grouping treats our relationships with others. This beatitude and the previous ones deal with the heart. Jesus always begins with the heart. He is saying a blessing on the inner state of our hearts, which hungers and thirsts for righteousness.
Look at some different translations of Matthew 5:6
“Blessed and fortunate and happy and spiritually prosperous (in that state in which the born-again child of God enjoys His favor and salvation) are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness (uprightness and right standing with God), for they shall be completely satisfied!” ~ AMPL
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.” ESV
Both the CSB and NIV translations say:
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.”
“Blessed” (and fortunate and happy and spiritually prosperous) are those who “hunger and thirst” (crying out of poverty, extreme desire) for righteousness (uprightness and right standing with God), for they will be “filled” (completely satisfied, nourished).
What does this mean? It definitely isn’t talking about becoming morally good or trying harder to do it all “right”. God is already pleased with us. We are already accepted. We don’t obey to “show off” or prove anything. “He made the One who did not know sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.” ~ II Corinthians 5:21
“We love because he first loved us.” ~ I John 4:19. This love leads us to hunger for righteousness. Just like a wonderful meal leads to wanting more.
One more thing – hunger isn’t a one-time event in a physically healthy person. Our bodies hunger again, especially for the foods that have satisfied. The same thing is true for our spiritual bodies. Spiritually healthy persons will have a hunger for righteousness over and over again. Come to the table hungry and you will be satisfied. In fact, there is always enough for seconds!
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