Discovering Depth in a Key Teaching from the Sermon on the Mount
When I reflect on the phrase “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled” (Matthew 5:6), I am struck by the raw, elemental imagery Jesus chooses. Hunger and thirst are not gentle emotions; they are urgent, bodily needs that drive us into action. They are, quite literally, matters of life and death. In using these physical sensations to describe a spiritual reality, Jesus invites us to consider righteousness not as a distant ideal, but as something our souls require to truly live.
Righteousness: More Than Just Being Good
So often, in daily language, righteousness is reduced to “being good” or “doing the right thing.” But in the context of Jesus’ teaching, righteousness is deeper—it is about longing for the world to be as God intends, for our lives to align with divine goodness, justice, and truth. It’s a craving that goes beyond a fleeting wish to improve or a surface-level desire to be a better person.
To hunger and thirst for righteousness is to feel an ache when we see brokenness, injustice, or moral decay—within ourselves, our communities, or the wider world. It is the sense of disquiet that stirs us when we witness cruelty, dishonesty, or apathy, and the restless hope that things can be made right, that healing and justice are possible.
Not Just a Wish—A Deep Longing
Unlike a casual appetite for a snack, hunger and thirst are primal forces. They push us beyond comfort; they override distraction and demand our attention. When Jesus speaks of hungering and thirsting for righteousness, He calls us to a longing so deep and persistent that it shapes our choices, priorities, and prayers.
This longing is not satisfied with the status quo, nor does it settle for superficial changes. It is a burning desire to see God’s character reflected in us and around us. In my own life, I have noticed that when I am truly hungry for righteousness, I become restless with complacency. I am not content to let my life drift; I want to grow, to change, to become more merciful, more just, more like Christ in thought and action.
Taking Action: Beyond Passive Desires
Hunger and thirst are not passive experiences. They prompt us to move, to search, to do something about our need. In the same way, spiritual hunger for righteousness must propel us into practical steps. It is not enough to wish the world were more just or to feel sorrow for our shortcomings. True longing for righteousness asks, “What am I willing to do, today, to bring about what is right?”
For me, this has meant learning to forgive, even when forgiveness is hard and pride is loud. It has nudged me to help those in need, even when it’s inconvenient or costly. It has called me to speak on behalf of those who cannot speak for themselves, to stand up for fairness—even when my voice is timid or the cause is unpopular.
Seeking righteousness is as much about the small, hidden choices as it is about grand gestures. It’s about telling the truth when a lie would be easier, offering kindness to someone who frustrates me, and pushing back against injustice in my sphere of influence, no matter how small.
A Basic Need for the Soul
Just as a body cannot survive long without food and water, the soul withers without righteousness. Jesus’ teaching makes clear that seeking to live rightly is not an optional extra for the spiritually mature; it is essential for anyone who desires to thrive in God’s kingdom.
This understanding leads me to confront the empty spaces in my own life—moments when I’ve tried to fill spiritual hunger with distractions, busyness, or comfort. Those things might dull the ache for a moment, but they do not satisfy. Only the pursuit of what is good, just, and true can nourish the soul.
The Promise: You Will Be Satisfied
One of the profound beauties of this teaching is the promise attached to it: “for they shall be filled.” Jesus assures us that this longing is not in vain. When we crave righteousness and earnestly pursue it, we will experience a deep satisfaction—something that goes beyond fleeting pleasure or external success.
This satisfaction is spiritual, a sense of being right with God and at peace within ourselves. There are moments—sometimes small, gentle ones—when I sense this fulfillment. It comes in the quiet joy after making a hard but loving choice. It arrives as peace after seeking reconciliation with someone I’ve hurt. It deepens as I see, little by little, the fruit of kindness, justice, and mercy in my life and in the lives of those around me.
Living It Out: Everyday Examples
Jesus’ teaching is not meant to stay abstract or theoretical. It is meant to be lived, daily, in practical and sometimes challenging ways. Some examples include:
· Choosing to forgive rather than holding a grudge, even when the hurt feels justified.
· Giving to those in need, not just out of abundance but sometimes at personal cost.
· Standing up for justice, even when it may risk our popularity or comfort.
· Turning away from habits and actions that we know are wrong, replacing them with what is right.
· Practicing kindness and compassion, not just to friends or family, but to strangers or even to those who are difficult to love.
These choices are not always easy, and sometimes the world does not understand them. But each is an expression of true hunger and thirst for righteousness—a step toward living as God intends.
Eight Qualities of a Blessed Life
The hunger and thirst for righteousness does not exist in isolation. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus describes eight qualities of a spiritually “blessed” life, known as the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:3-12). These include humility, mourning over sin, gentleness, a pure heart, mercy, peacemaking, and even suffering for what is right.
Together, these qualities paint a portrait of a life centered on God, marked by inner joy and resilience no matter the circumstances. Hungering for righteousness is one vital part of this greater whole—a call to keep seeking what is good, even when it is difficult.
The Big Picture: God’s Satisfaction Is Real
In a culture that often chases fulfillment in possessions, power, or applause, Jesus’ promise stands in gentle contrast. He assures us that no one who seeks righteousness will be left empty. Like a starving person satisfied with a meal, those who long for God’s way will find spiritual nourishment—hope, forgiveness, strength, and peace.
This satisfaction may not always be visible to others. It is not measured by material success or worldly recognition, but by a quiet assurance that our lives are aligning with something eternal, something true. It is, ultimately, the deep happiness of knowing we are on the path God desires for us.
Conclusion: The Invitation to Pursue and Be Filled
To hunger and thirst for righteousness is to accept Jesus’ invitation to go after the things that matter most in life. It is to trust that as we seek Him and His ways, God will meet our deepest needs and grant us lasting fulfillment. The journey is ongoing, sometimes daunting, but always worthwhile—for the promise is sure: “they will be filled.”
May we never lose our appetite for what is right. Instead, let our longing drive us toward a life that reflects God’s love, justice, and goodness—in us, among us, and through us, for the blessing of the world.
God bless!
Minister A Francine Green
August 2025
afrancinegreen.com 