Matthew 5:6
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied.”
The beatitudes are new to me. I’ve spent decades not noticing them. The first one has been on my mind the past year or two. It has brought me such joy. Todays is new to me. I spent a few minutes in commentaries about it. They pointed out that Jesus has very recently had a 40 day fast. He has experienced several levels of hunger. He now speaks about spiritual hunger.
The spiritual hungry shall be satisfied. These are the ones who crave God and a deeper relationship with Him. It’s not that they don’t have it. They do. The ones that do have a strong hunger for more and deeper. I can attest to that. Here I am in my quiet time. I spend nearly an hour here each morning. It’s never a bore. Quite the opposite. It’s a blessing. Going in deeper with God.
A sign of a healthy relationship with God is that hunger. It’s not painful, but a healthy, byproduct of knowing God.
At the end is the reference to being filled. One of the commentators quoted a latin hymn by Peter Damiani, referring to the apostles, “Ever filled and ever seeking, what they have they still desire, Hunger there shall fret them never, nor satiety shall tire, -Still enjoying whilst aspiring, in their joy they still aspire.” Great thoughts. To comment on this seems wrong. The words are perfect.
God asks all of us to put things aside or give things up. Sometimes temporarily, sometimes forever. That keeps many from Him. However, when I look at the things I put aside there is no longing for them. Actually barely a memory or even a blip of interest.
The desire for Him is prominent. Ever growing, yet always satisfied. Romans 8:16 says, “The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God”. Our spirits know He is there in us. A peaceful confidence. I Timothy 6:6 says, “Now godliness with contentment is great gain.” This speaks to the satisfaction in Christ. This is the end of today’s beatitude, “they shall be filled”.
Some stuff in life detracts from this hunger and satisfaction. These have become idols that He will address. This doesn’t mean we don’t have hobbies or interests. He keeps them in balance and they are used to glorify Him.
Most go through life not knowing this. It’s part of His mystery. Jesus speaks of this in Matthew 13:14, “In them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled: ‘You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.'” There are many parts of God that won’t be understood unless we seek Him. In that we must be born again first. Those that seek Him in purity will find Him. Acts 17:27 says, “God intended that they would seek Him and perhaps reach out for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us.”
Thank You Lord for this beatitude. You’ve put a hunger in us for more of You. Yet, You give us a satisfaction. Amazing. You allow us to find You. The fountain of life that fills, yet leaves us wanting more. Thank You.