Moment of Meditation: Those Who Hunger & Thirst (Matthew 5:6)

"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they shall be satisfied."
(Matthew 5:6)

"Those Who Hunger and Thirst"

Jesus gives us a wonderful message in this seemingly complicated sentence. But it becomes clear once you see how it interrelates to itself. In the Bible, to "hunger" means to crave something with an ardent, eager desire. To "thirst" means to painfully feel the longing for something in your soul.

Jesus praises us when He sees that earnest desire and painful longing for righteousness. He wants each of us to understand that we're not perfect by ourselves. That we need Him in order to be righteous in His sight. It's not a desperate search. It's a methodical search, digging through the layers that shroud your soul, so that you may become open to His grace, mercy and peace.

Jesus promises that those who hunger and thirst after righteousness will be satisfied. This points to His references to the "Bread of Life" (John 6:35) and the "Living Water" (John 4:13-14). Those who come to Jesus will be satisfied--not just for now, but for all eternity--as the psalmist writes, "For He satisfies the longing soul, and the hungry soul He fill with good things" (107:9). Amen.