Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.

                                                                                                         Matthew 5:6 

Jesus’ fourth declaration involves desire. In this case a desire expressed by hunger and thirst. Our physical bodies require that we eat and drink regularly to provide fuel for our continuing life. Without food and water, we will eventually die. When we go beyond the normal limits of response to the desire for food and water, we can quickly move into desperation. Being stranded somewhere without the basic necessities can become quite scary. What is usually a daily routine can become a struggle to survive.

Today’s passage describes this desperation of hungering and thirsting. But the object of this desire is not food rather righteousness. Paul was no stranger to this phenomenon of desiring one thing only to see a different reality working itself out in his life. Consider his testimony on this issue:

For what I am doing, I do not understand; for I am not practicing what I would like to do, but I am doing the very thing I hate. 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.

                                                                                                            Romans 7:15,18 

Our solution to this hungering for righteousness is not in self-improvement or in trying to be a “better person.” Our only means of righteousness is in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. He must become our righteousness because all of our efforts will inevitably fall short. Jesus extends this invitation to come and receive from Him. Notice that in each of the following offers, Jesus is the answer to relieving our struggle: 

Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst.”

                                                                                                           John 6:35 

Now on the last day, the great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink.”

                                                                                                       John 7:37 

Coming to Jesus by faith and receiving from Him is the only way in which our desire for righteousness is satisfied. Even toward the end of scripture, we can observe this invitation still going out to all who would come: 

The Spirit and the bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who wishes take the water of life without cost.

                                                                                                Revelation 22:17 

Jesus is the answer for everyone who hungers and thirsts for righteousness. For what do you desire? Is it riches, fame, power, acceptance? We all have desires, but for those who desire more of God and His righteousness, the declaration of “blessed” certainly applies! 

“For this is the will of My Father, that everyone who beholds the Son and believes in Him will have eternal life, and I Myself will raise him up on the last day.”

                                                                                                         John 6:40