Our scripture this morning is Matthew 5:6 (ESV).
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
Jesus speaks to us about righteousness, which many equate with justice or obeying the law. While that is part of the concept, it isn’t the whole idea. Righteousness as Jesus teaches is being in a right relationship with God and His children.
More than that, Jesus wants us to see righteousness is something as essential as food and water, something we can’t live without. In Psalm 42:2 we read “My soul thirsts for God, for the living God”. We can see this in the prayer Jesus taught us when we say “Your Kingdom come, Your will be done on Earth as it is in heaven.”
Jesus closes this verse with the promise “they shall be satisfied”, that when we return in repentance, and live with each other as God intends, we are helping to bring His Kingdom on Earth. Jesus left us with the mission to carry on His ministry, sharing God’s love that everyone may hunger and thirst for righteousness.
Gracious God, You have filled us with a longing to be connected to You and one another. Help us to share the joy and eagerness for Your Kingdom with the world. Amen.
