Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. [Mat 5:6 ESV]
I know last time we looked at the anger we have toward sin and the effects that sin has on this world, so today we will look at the happiness that will come when Our Lord comes to judge. “Blessed” in the verse above is also the word happy. So Christ tells us, “happy are those who hunger for righteousness, for they will be satisfied.” The word hunger here metaphorically can mean to crave ardently and to seek with eager desire, while thirst means eagerly long for those things by which the soul is refreshed. Both are seeking eagerly, but seeking what? Righteousness.
The word righteousness here means “the state of one who is as he ought to be;” the condition acceptable to God. Do you eagerly look forward to a world full of righteousness? Do you eagerly desire to be in a state and condition acceptable to God? I know it’s easy to be angry at the sin and effects of sin around us, but are we also angry with the sin in our own lives and eagerly desire and seek those things by which the soul is refreshed? Where do we find those things but in Him and His Word?
This verse is part of the Sermon on the Mount where Christ is laying out the system we will see in the Kingdom. I don’t know anyone looking for righteousness in the world as it is today who will be satisfied. The world is riddled and marred by sin. Even Paul talks about this within his own life:
For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh; for the willing is present in me, but the doing of the good [is] not. For the good that I want, I do not do, but I practice the very evil that I do not want. But if I am doing the very thing I do not want, I am no longer the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me.” [Rom 7:18-20 NASB]
Matthew 5:6 says, “Happy are those who seek righteousness, for they will be satisfied.” Where will they be satisfied? Where will they be happy? In the Kingdom. One is coming who will judge. He left so that the Holy Spirit could come and convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgement, but Christ will return to judge.
“Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment: concerning sin, because they do not believe in me; concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you will see me no longer; concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.” [Jhn 16:7-11 ESV]
Who is the ruler of this world? Satan. I hope we all eagerly desire righteousness in ourselves and in this world. Trust me, as believers we will all one day have that, but today the ruler of this world is Satan. He works continually seeking to destroy. But we will be happy. We will be blessed. Our King is coming and in righteousness He will judge and make war.
Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. [Rev 19:11 ESV]
But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. [2Pe 3:13 ESV]
But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. [Mat 6:33 NASB]
Reflection Questions:
- Do you eagerly desire righteousness in your own life?
- Do you hate the sin you see in your own life even more than the sin you see in the world?
Do you know and eagerly seek the King and His return and the righteousness and judgement He will bring?
Reflection Song:
