Blessed Are They Who Hunger and Thirst

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

The Jews who lived under the Old Testament, in types and shadows, looked forward to the day when salvation would appear—when sin would be put away and everlasting righteousness would be brought in. The Law of Moses was a strict set of detailed rules that governed the daily life of Israel. There were mandatory sacrifices, such as sin and trespass offerings, as well as voluntary offerings, each with its own purpose.

The strictness of the Law reflected both God’s holy character and the sinfulness of the people. To fail in one point of the Law was to be guilty of all of it (James 2:10). The Law was good, just, and holy, and it required perfect obedience. Yet because of the weakness of sinful flesh, it became a “ministration of death,” written and engraved in stone for imperfect sinners (2 Corinthians 3:7). The Law was a heavy yoke upon those who longed for righteousness, for they could not keep it. The blood of bulls and goats could never take away sin (Hebrews 10:4). Instead, the Law served as a schoolmaster to lead us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith (Galatians 3:24).

Those who hunger and thirst for the righteousness that cannot be produced by human effort will most surely be satisfied. Consider Simeon: it was revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die until he had seen the Lord’s Christ. When Jesus was brought into the temple according to the custom of the Law, Simeon took Him in his arms, blessed God, and said:

“Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel” (Luke 2:29–32).

Christ alone is salvation. It is not of our works, nor our best attempts at law-keeping. It is not our faith that saves, but the object of faith—Christ Himself—who saves. Christ is our faith! He is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29), bringing everlasting righteousness apart from the Law, for His people out of every tribe, tongue, and nation (Revelation 5:9).

As our Substitute, Surety, and Redeemer, Christ satisfied the Law and the justice of God. He has provided the righteousness required and acceptable before God. The elect are found in Christ, “not having a righteousness of their own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ—the righteousness from God that depends on faith” (Philippians 3:9).

The burden of the Law was the impossibility of perfect obedience. But Christ fulfilled the Law perfectly on behalf of all who hunger and thirst after righteousness. They are satisfied, clothed in the righteousness of Christ, and accepted by our thrice-holy God—by grace, through faith in Him.

Christ is our Sabbath rest. Do not look to your best efforts at obedience, for we all fall short of what God requires. Instead, rest in Him—God’s salvation.

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.”

Soli Deo Gloria.

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Greg Flannery is a Bible Teacher at Redeemer Church of Piketon, Ohio.