A Message From Pastor Bruce

I want to share something with you which has grabbed me more and more over the past few years as I have studied The Beatitudes.  Take a look at the words “hunger and thirst” in             Matthew 5:6.

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.” –                    Matthew 5:6

When you read “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness” does anything in particular come to mind?  What about this; are there degrees of hunger?  Of course, there are.  When Jesus was teaching this, do you think that he was referencing the type of hunger that you have when you skip breakfast or miss lunch?  Was He speaking about the type of thirst you have from doing yard work on a hot day?  I would suggest to you that Jesus knew of more intense degree of hunger and thirst, one which few of us have ever experienced.

Turn in your Bible exactly one chapter back and read of Jesus’ temptation in the desert (Matthew 4:1-11).  Matthew 4:2 tells us that Jesus fasted for forty days and forty nights in preparation for his temptation.  And then it simply says this, “he was hungry”.  If you’re anything like me, the idea of going that long without food is unfathomable.  I don’t personally know anyone who has ever fasted that long.  Jesus’ level of hunger had to be something that few of us have ever known.  

Now return to Matthew 5:6 when Jesus said, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.”  Jesus was not talking about the minor hunger pangs that a person can get on day to day basis.  He knew what hunger was, real hunger.  Therefore, hungering for righteousness is not a simple thing which you merely say with your mouth.  Truly hungering and thirsting for the righteousness of God demands your full devotion, as if your life depends on it… as if you will die without it… because you will.    Let the righteousness of God be the entire focus of your life.

Pastor Bruce