Disciples Learn Paths of Blessedness
and Value a "hunger and thirst" for Righteousness
Matthew 5:6
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled. ~ Jesus
It’s not always easy to grasp the meaning of Jesus’ words, phrases, and teachings. That said, we do not have permission to place our own slant on His teachings and then apply them to ourselves or others as if that is what Jesus taught.
To understand what "hunger and thirst for righteousness" means, we need to know what Jesus means by righteousness. What did He mean while talking to a crowd of ordinary Jewish people interested in God but without theological training?
It would seem evident that He is not describing a mere outward righteousness. That’s what He blasted Pharisees over, calling them whitewashed tombs – external morality without the internal righteousness to match (Matthew 23:27-28).
Matthew 23:27-28
27 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of the bones of the dead and everything unclean. 28 In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness.
Let’s dig into the Bible’s righteousness as Jesus saw it and let's pray that God blesses our IMMERSION study on this topic of hungering and thirsting for righteousness.
Sermon on the Mount: Episode 6
The Type of People God Is Forming (Beatitudes, Part 3)
What does it look like to have our desires and actions completely aligned with God’s will? In the second triad of the Beatitudes, Jesus paints a picture of the kind of people God is forming in “the Kingdom of the Skies.” In this episode, Tim, Jon, and guests break down the biblical words for righteousness, justice, mercy, and purity throughout the Bible, leading up to Jesus’ words in the Sermon on the Mount.
https://bibleproject.com/podcast/type-people-god-forming-beatitudes-pt-3/
Prayer For the Week
Lord Jesus Christ, You are called the Righteous One, and yet You became unrighteous so that we could become the righteousness of God (2 Corinthians 5:21). I ask that You teach me the meaning of "blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled". I look forward to Your Spirit's guidance throughout this week. I pray in Your name. Amen.
Psalm 119: Immersed in the Word of God
Micro-Meditation
Psalm 119:81-88 11th letter: Kaph (כ)
- My soul faints with longing for your salvation,
but I have put my hope in your word. - My eyes fail, looking for your promise;
I say, “When will you comfort me?” - Though I am like a wineskin in the smoke,
I do not forget your decrees. - How long must your servant wait?
When will you punish my persecutors? - The arrogant dig pits to trap me,
contrary to your law. - All your commands are trustworthy;
help me, for I am being persecuted without cause. - They almost wiped me from the earth,
but I have not forsaken your precepts. - In your unfailing love preserve my life,
that I may obey the statutes of your mouth.
Read the versus of the Psalm.
Mark the words or phrases that catch your attention.
Meditate: talk (or better, write) with God about those words. Ask him to impress things upon your heart and mind; expect responses.
Pondering Point
Kaph’s meaning includes "a cupped hand", like a container ready to receive.
Can you imagine the writer, with this symbol in mind, yearning to receive from the Lord?