Sermon on the Mount – Blessed are Those Who Hunger • FOUNDED IN TRUTH

The Fortunate Longing for Righteousness

In this teaching from Founded in Truth Fellowship, Matthew Vander Els delves into the fourth Beatitude of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount: “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.” Vander Els begins by clarifying that the term “blessed” in this context, derived from the Greek word “makarios,” is better understood as “fortunate” or “having the good life.” He explains that the Beatitudes collectively present an ironic framing of what constitutes a truly good life, contrasting worldly notions of success and happiness with the values of the Kingdom of Heaven.

The focus of this particular Beatitude is on the profound desire for righteousness, likened to the fundamental human needs of hunger and thirst. Vander Els vividly illustrates the intensity of physical hunger and thirst, describing the gnawing sensation of prolonged lack of food and the desperate craving for water. He then draws a parallel between these physical yearnings and the spiritual longing for righteousness that Jesus speaks of. This is not a casual wish, but a deep, persistent, and urgent need for things to be right in the world and in one’s own life.

Defining Righteousness in a Biblical Context

Vander Els emphasizes that in the biblical sense, righteousness goes beyond simply being “right” in one’s own eyes. It encompasses living in right relationship with God and with the people around us. This involves actively seeking justice, equity, and kindness in our interactions and in the broader community. The pursuit of righteousness means striving to treat others with the same love and service that God demonstrates. This is a challenging standard, as highlighted by the call to be “perfect like your Father in heaven.” It requires bearing the burden of difficult relationships and actively working towards reconciliation, even with those who may be challenging to engage with.

The speaker uses the example of his initial negative perception of a friend, Mr. Matt Knapper, to illustrate how preconceived notions can hinder right relationships and how actively pursuing connection, despite initial feelings, can lead to genuine friendship. He stresses the importance of seeing others as fellow human beings with their own experiences, struggles, and inherent worth, rather than reducing them to labels or stereotypes. This empathy forms the foundation for seeking right relationships and embodying righteousness in our interactions.

The Hunger for Justice and a Right World

The teaching connects the hunger and thirst for righteousness to a deep yearning for justice and an end to the brokenness and injustice seen in the world. Vander Els points to various forms of protest against perceived injustices as evidence of this inherent human desire for things to be right. He acknowledges the frustration and anger that arise when these longings are ignored or unmet, leading to escalating forms of protest, though he clarifies that he does not condone violence.

To further illustrate the concept of righteousness as justice, Vander Els shares two contrasting stories involving law enforcement. The first story recounts an incident where a police officer, mistaking the sound of an acorn falling on his car for gunfire, reacted by firing numerous shots at a handcuffed individual in his vehicle. The fact that the officer faced no charges highlights a perceived injustice and unequal application of the law. The second story contrasts this with a deputy who, upon discovering his intoxicated daughter had caused an accident, insisted on her undergoing a DUI test and being processed according to the law, demonstrating equal weights and measures and a commitment to justice even within his own family.

Vander Els connects this idea of impartial justice to Jesus’ seemingly harsh words about “hating” family in Luke 14:26. He clarifies that this is hyperbole, emphasizing the need to prioritize righteousness and following Jesus, even if it means going against familial instincts or societal norms. It’s about being willing to uphold justice and rightness even when it’s difficult or personally inconvenient, as exemplified by the deputy’s actions.

The teaching also addresses the danger of using religious language to justify unrighteous actions. Referencing Job 13:6, Vander Els cautions against speaking wickedly or deceitfully on God’s behalf in ways that do not foster right relationships. He criticizes the tendency to judge others harshly while excusing one’s own shortcomings. The true hunger and thirst for righteousness involve a desire for everyone to engage with one another in rightness, mirroring the character of God and the vision of a restored world.

The Beatitude promises that those who have this deep yearning for righteousness “will be filled.” This fulfillment begins with the individual willing to embrace the responsibility of instigating rightness in their own lives and interactions, even if the world at large rejects it. The Kingdom of God, according to the speaker, operates on a different paradigm than the world and is ultimately effective.

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Application for Everyday Life

• Cultivate a deep awareness of injustice: Pay attention to the brokenness and unfairness you see in your community and the world.
• Define righteousness biblically: Understand that it involves right relationships with God and others, characterized by justice, equity, and mercy.
• Seek justice in your interactions: Strive to treat everyone fairly, regardless of their background or status, and challenge inequality.
• Empathize with others: Recognize the shared humanity of everyone, even those you disagree with or find difficult, and try to understand their perspectives.
• Actively pursue reconciliation: Be willing to work towards restoring broken relationships, even if it requires personal effort and discomfort.
• Prioritize righteousness over personal comfort or bias: Be willing to stand up for what is right, even if it affects your own family or social standing.
• Examine your own biases and judgments: Be aware of the tendency to judge others more harshly than yourself and strive for consistency in applying standards of righteousness.
• Instigate rightness in your sphere of influence: Look for opportunities, big or small, to promote justice, kindness, and right relationships in your daily life.
• Yearn for a better world: Allow the desire for justice and righteousness to motivate your actions and prayers.

References

Bible Verses

• Matthew 5:3
• Matthew 5:4
• Matthew 5:5
• Matthew 5:6
• Matthew 5:7
• Matthew 5:8
• Matthew 5:9
• Matthew 5:10
• Luke 14:26
• Job 13:6