04 Blessed Are Those Who Hunger & Thirst (Matthew 5:6)

Alex Townsend
The Beatitudes
Blessed Are Those Who Hunger & Thirst
Matthew 5:6
10 September 2023

Those who belong to God have an indescribable hunger and thirst for Him. The fourth beatitude in Matthew 5 identifies those who desire righteousness as being part of God's spiritual kingdom.

Real hunger for righteousness is consuming. The first century world in the middle east was desolate, and water was scarcer than today. True believers have a thirst for righteousness like one would have had in a dry land.

Real hunger for righteousness is concentrated. It is focused on the fact that sin has separated us from God, and longs for reconciliation with Him. This is the heart of the gospel. Kingdom citizens know they have been redeemed, and delight to serve Him.

Real hunger for righteousness is consummated - those who desire it will have it. In this life, we will never be perfect, though with God's help we grow in doing His will. But there will come a day when we are perfectly satisfied in righteousness: we will be like Jesus Christ when He appears.