Understanding Matthew 5:6 in Everyday Life
If you’ve ever heard the phrase “hunger and thirst for righteousness” and wondered what it means, you’re not alone. This saying comes from the Beatitudes, a section of Jesus’s famous Sermon on the Mount found in Matthew 5:6: “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.” While these words might sound lofty or complicated, they actually point to a very relatable and practical truth about the human experience—one that is just as relevant today as it was two thousand years ago.
Let’s break it down together.
Digging Deeper: What Is “Righteousness”?
First, it helps to understand what “righteousness” means in this context. In the Bible, righteousness isn’t just about following a set of rules or looking good on the outside. It’s about having a genuine, right relationship with God and living the way God wants us to live—acting justly, showing mercy, and being truthful.
To “hunger and thirst” for righteousness means having a deep, passionate desire for this kind of life. Think about how you feel when you’re truly hungry or thirsty. Those needs drive you—they’re impossible to ignore, and you’ll do almost anything to satisfy them. Jesus uses this powerful comparison to show that our longing for a life in step with God should be just as strong and pressing as our physical need for food and water.
Not Just a Passive Wish: It’s an Active Pursuit
This isn’t just a casual wish that pops into your head once in a while. It’s not a “wouldn’t it be nice if…” sort of thing. No, this is a core motivation, a driving force that shapes your choices, actions, and even your thoughts. People who hunger and thirst for righteousness are on a quest—they want their lives to reflect God’s standards of justice, goodness, kindness, and holiness.
Imagine someone who’s training for a marathon. They don’t just hope they’ll get fit by sitting on the couch; they actively pursue their goal every day. In the same way, hungering for righteousness means actively seeking it, making it a priority, and letting it change you from the inside out.
Where Does This Desire Come From?
Some might wonder, “Isn’t this asking too much? How can anyone really live up to God’s standards?” The truth is, this desire for righteousness isn’t something we manufacture on our own. The Bible says it’s God who plants this longing in our hearts. In Psalm 51, we see David—a man who had messed up big time—crying out for God’s cleansing, restoration, and presence. Genuine hunger for righteousness often grows out of recognizing the emptiness of living for ourselves, and the brokenness we find in our world.
When you see injustice, cruelty, or dishonesty—whether in the news, in your community, or even in your own heart—that sense of “this isn’t right” is the seed of hunger for righteousness. It awakens a desire for something better, for God’s ways to take root and flourish.
How Does It Show Up in Real Life?
So, what does it look like when someone is hungering and thirsting for righteousness? Here are some practical examples:
· Confession and repentance: Admitting when you’ve messed up, asking God for forgiveness, and turning away from harmful choices.
· Seeking justice and fairness: Trying to do what’s right, not just for yourself, but for others—standing up against mistreatment, helping those in need, and treating people with compassion.
· Desiring holiness: Wanting to be more like God in how you think, speak, and act. This isn’t about being perfect, but about growing in kindness, honesty, and love.
· Relying on God’s guidance: Praying for direction, reading the Bible, and asking God to help you make wise decisions and stay on the right path.
This hunger shows up in everyday actions—how you interact with your family, your coworkers, your neighbors, even strangers. It affects your priorities and your hopes for the future.
The Promise: Fulfillment from God
One of the most beautiful parts of Matthew 5:6 is the promise Jesus gives: “They will be filled.”
What does that mean? It means that God isn’t playing hard to get—He wants to satisfy this longing in our hearts. Those who earnestly seek righteousness will experience real spiritual satisfaction, a sense of peace and wholeness that can’t be found anywhere else. This isn’t just a one-time event, but an ongoing process. As we keep seeking, God keeps responding, guiding us, healing us, and helping us grow.
It’s also a promise for the future—one day, believers will be fully satisfied in God’s presence, where there’s no more injustice, pain, or brokenness.
Contrasting Spiritual Hunger with Other Desires
It’s easy to get caught up in the rat race for material success, popularity, or comfort. But Jesus makes it clear: the kind of hunger He’s talking about is different. It’s not just about physical needs—food and water—or chasing after status, wealth, or achievements. Spiritual hunger is about longing for what really matters: a life aligned with God’s heart.
Lots of people talk about wanting to do good, but a genuine hunger for righteousness shows up in actions and motivations, not just words. It’s not about looking good in front of others or doing the right thing for selfish reasons, but a real desire for God’s goodness to shape your entire life.
The Beatitudes: A Picture of True Blessedness
To put this phrase in context, let’s glance at the bigger picture. In Matthew 5:3-12, Jesus lists eight qualities, or “Beatitudes,” that characterize truly blessed people—those living in the joy and grace of God. Here’s a quick rundown, in plain language:
· Poor in spirit: Recognize your need for God; be humble and aware of your weaknesses.
· Those who mourn: Feel godly sorrow over mistakes or pain, and seek God’s comfort and healing.
· The meek: Show gentleness and patience, even when life is tough or people treat you unfairly.
· Hunger and thirst for righteousness: Deeply desire to live a life that pleases God, and actively pursue His ways.
· The merciful: Show compassion to those who are hurting, forgive others, and help those in need.
· The pure in heart: Have a sincere, undivided heart that seeks God’s presence and rejects hypocrisy.
· The peacemakers: Work to build harmony, resolve conflicts, and promote understanding and goodwill.
· Those persecuted for righteousness’ sake: Stand up for what’s right, even when it costs you, trusting that God sees and rewards your faithfulness.
Each of these qualities is like a facet of spiritual character. Together, they paint a vivid picture of Christian life as less about outward success and more about inward transformation.
Why Is This So Different from the World’s Values?
If you look around, the world often celebrates the proud, the wealthy, the powerful, and those who seem to “have it all.” But Jesus flips this on its head, calling the humble, the gentle, the merciful, and those hungry for goodness “blessed.”
Why? Because God’s kingdom operates on different principles. It’s not about rising to the top; it’s about becoming more like God in love, justice, and truth. In the end, it’s those who seek God sincerely—through all the ups and downs, joys and sorrows—who find true happiness and fulfillment.
How Can We Develop This Hunger and Thirst?
You might be wondering how to cultivate this kind of desire in your own life. Here are some practical steps:
· Be honest with yourself: Recognize areas where you fall short, and ask God to help you grow.
· Pray for a deeper hunger: Ask God to give you a greater longing for His ways and His presence.
· Spend time with God: Read the Bible, reflect on its truths, and talk to God in prayer.
· Connect with others: Find people who share this hunger, and encourage one another in your pursuit of righteousness.
· Serve and help: Look for ways to show mercy, pursue justice, and make peace in your community.
· Keep going: Remember, spiritual growth is a journey, and God promises to meet you every step of the way.
In Conclusion
To hunger and thirst for righteousness is to have a deep, ongoing longing for a life that pleases God—a life marked by justice, mercy, holiness, and love. It’s not about being perfect or never making mistakes, but about letting your desire for God’s goodness guide your choices, your relationships, and your dreams.
For those who truly seek this, Jesus promises real fulfillment—peace, hope, and ultimately, the joy of God’s presence both now and forever. The invitation is open to everyone. If you feel that longing in your heart, know that you are blessed, and keep pursuing the life God has in store for you.
God bless!
Minister A Francine Green
afrancinegreen.com 