What Jesus Did! 'More than Anything Else' — Matthew 5:6

Wednesday, February 10, 2021

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[Jesus continued:]
"God blesses those who hunger and thirst for justice,
for they will be satisfied."
— Matthew 5:6 NLT

Key Thought

Other translations use the wording, "hunger and thirst for righteousness," where this translation refers to those who "hunger and thirst for justice."* Except for a voluntary fast, most of us who spend our time on the internet don't know what it's like to be really hungry. But nearly all of us, at one time or another, have been very, very thirsty! To hunger and thirst for righteousness and justice is to want what pleases, honors, and reflects God more than anything else. To be righteous becomes our consuming passion. This spiritual commitment takes on a primal drive, much like hunger and thirst drive us physically. Like so many of these beatitudes in Matthew 5:3-11, finding our lives in God, his nature, and his character is our only path to true and lasting fulfillment.

* The same Greek word is sometimes translated "righteousness" and sometimes "justice" in a particular version of the New Testament. For example, Matthew 10:41 has the same basic Greek word as Matthew 5:6.

Today's Prayer

Holy and Righteous Father, while I know I can never even approximate the edges of your righteous character, please use the Holy Spirit to make me into the person who reflects your holiness to those around me. Where I am inconsistent, please help me become faithful. Where I am tempestuous and undisciplined, please bless me with self-control. Where I am insensitive and unfeeling, please help me see life from the point of view of others. O Father, I so much want to please and honor you in what I say and do. Thank you for your grace. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

  • 2 Corinthians 5:21
  • Psalm 42:1
  • John 4:32-34

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Illustration

Illustration of Matthew 5:6 NLT — [Jesus continued:] "God blesses those who hunger and thirst for justice, for they will be satisfied."

About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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