Are Those Who Hunger and Thirst for Righteous
Matthew 5:1-12 Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, 2 and he began to teach them. He said: 3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. 5 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. 6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. 7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. 8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
Matthew 5:1-12 (cont) 9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. 10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
“The best way to understand the beatitudes is to look at the one who truly lived the blessed life, Jesus Christ.” Fresh out of the waters of baptism, the Holy Spirit came down to meet Jesus in the water. He is then lead out by the Spirit of God into the wilderness to be tested for 40 days.
Satan tempts Jesus to command these stones to become bread so that he may eat. The real temptation was not about hunger, but rather power and control. Jesus was not going to use the power He was given by God to serve himself. Jesus’ reply was “One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.”
Satan tempts Jesus to throw himself down from the mountain. Satan, after taking Jesus to the temple where all could see him, asked Jesus to show his power to the people. If you jump, then you prove to everyone that you are either the promised Messiah or that God is a liar. If you already know the plan, then force God’s hand. Do it on your terms, not God’s. Jesus’ reply was “Do not put the Lord your God to the test.”
Satan temps Jesus to fall down and worship him. The final temptation is how Jesus will embrace His mission here on earth. Satan offers a way for Jesus not to have to endure the cross, to become King without the pain and suffering. Are you willing to follow your King to the cross, or has Satan tempted you of another way? Jesus’ reply was “Away with you Satan, worship the Lord your God and worship Him only.”
Jesus is saying that the problem is not your desire to be hungry and thirsty, but rather the problem is what you looking to in order to fill that desire. Matthew 6:33 - “Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness…”