The Sermon on the MountSample

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness

This beatitude is applicable to both those who wish to see God's justice triumph and those who desire to do good. Hunger and thirst are recurring in everyday life. Jesus speaks of a continuous and persistent desire to seek a way of life with the right priorities.

The goal is not to promote one's own righteousness, but to seek God's righteousness (Philippians 3:9). A lot of people believe that they are righteous, using criteria that favor them and condemn others. Jesus told the parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector (Luke 18:9-14) to warn "some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else" (Luke 18:9 NIV).

God's righteousness is displayed when He judges sin (Isaiah 26:9). We must recognize that if it were not for God's grace, each of us would deserve condemnation for our sins. Hunger and thirst for righteousness does not mean a desire for revenge against others. It's rather an aim to live a life that resembles that of Jesus every day, with the right relationship with both God and others.

The Messiah was prophesied to be righteous in Isaiah 11:1-5. In this regard, the prophecies of Isaiah 42:1-4 were fulfilled by Jesus, as we see in Matthew 12:17-21.

• What is the righteousness you seek for your life?
• What righteousness and justice do you desire for others?