Do you hunger and thirst for personal righteousness?
Jesus is considered by scholars such as Weber to be an example of a charismatic religious leader. (Photo credit: Wikipedia ) Matthew 5:6 –7 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness , for they shall be satisfied. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy” (vv. 6–7). The first three beatitudes in many ways express those qualities that are the prerequisites for salvation. To be poor in spirit , to mourn, and to be meek ( Matt. 5:1–5) are all related to the idea of recognizing ourselves for who we really are in the sight of God apart from Christ — desperate sinners who cannot save ourselves. As Jesus continues outlining the marks of His disciple in today’s passage, we will see Him focus on qualities that are produced in those who recognize their spiritual poverty and have turned to Him. Our Creator ’s blessing (approval) is on “those who hunger and thirst for righteousness” (v. 6). Typically, we hunger and thirst for food and drink, without which lif