Satisfaction Guaranteed ✅ (Beatitudes Part 4)
Beatitudes Devotional Series by Jamie Osborne
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied.
~ Matthew 5:6
If you believe the theory behind the Enneagram personality tests, you’ll know that Enneagram 7’s are never satisfied. They are always looking to the next thing, whether it is a trip, an adventure, or a new outfit. I know, because I am a textbook Enneagram 7 and have come to recognize that I always want more.
It is a struggle for me to remain present to and grateful for the good life I already have. However, I don’t think this yearning for more is unique to Enneagram 7’s. We live in a society that tells us we need to have more, be more, and do more in order to be happy.
This is an outright lie that we as Christ-followers must actively reject.
One proof the kingdom of God has taken hold of someone is that something stronger replaces the need for more. As we follow Jesus, we find that the need for more lessens and a desire for righteousness grows. The New Testament Greek Lexicon defines this righteousness as “integrity, virtue, purity of life, rightness, correctness of thinking, feeling, and acting”.
Jesus longs for his people to be righteous. Two times in Matthew he explicitly implores us to pursue inner righteousness. In Matthew 5:20, which some call the thesis for the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus calls for a righteousness greater than that of the Scribes and Pharisees. In other words, Jesus wants not only righteous actions, but righteous hearts to match.
Later in the Sermon, Jesus tells us to make our priority seeking God and his righteousness, instead of concerning ourselves with the trappings of our daily lives.
Additionally, the righteousness Jesus models is not only an inner state, but also outward action. Theophylact of Ochrid asserts that “one must avidly practice righteousness, for this is what it means to 'hunger and thirst'". It is of no use to hunger and thirst for our own character to reflect God if that hungering and thirsting doesn’t result in action.
Following Jesus involves both our inner transformation and our pursuit of righteousness in the world. To be like Jesus means we seek righteousness above all as Jesus did. Jesus spoke against oppressive religious systems, cared for the marginalized and oppressed, restored dignity to sinners, and helped people find their heavenly Father. When we see people doing the same, we know we’ve found Jesus’ people.
The fourth Beatitude does not say the people of God have grasped hold of righteousness. Rather, they are fully aware of how far they fall short, yet desperately pursue it anyhow. Those who do so will be satisfied with the Bread of Life himself, and his Living Water. Augustine notes that those who hunger and thirst for righteousness
...will therefore be filled with that food of which the Lord Himself says, “My meat is to do the will of my Father”, which is righteousness; and with that water, of which whosoever drinks, as he also says, it shall be in him a well of water, springing up into everlasting life.
Although we will not fully attain righteousness, we can be sure that we will be satiated by our pursuit.
PAUSE and REFLECT:
Have you noticed that as you follow Jesus your cravings and desires are changing? Can you recognize in yourself a greater desire for "righteousness" (i.e. "integrity, virtue, purity of life, rightness, correctness of thinking, feeling, and acting")?
Where do you still tend to believe the lie that you need to be more, have more or do more? How can you intentionally reject that this week?
SPIRITUAL PRACTICE FOR THIS WEEK:
For 7 days, complete a gratitude practice. At the end of the day or in the morning, consider your past 24 hours and write down three things from the day for which you are grateful. This will help you begin to notice the good gifts God blesses you with and you’ll begin to feel more satisfied with your life.
What caught your attention from the devotional this week? Comment to let us know!