Satisfied are the Hungry

What was the first sin that was committed? Introduction Jesus uses another paradox to describe citizens of the kingdom of heaven in Matthew 5:6. Prosperous are the poor (in spirit), happy are the sad (godly sorrow for sins), mighty are the meek (strength under control), and satisfied are the hungry (for righteousness). God created man in His image giving him an appetite for food and drink in order to live. What was the first sin that was committed?

Are we Hungry and Thirsty for Sin? Eve chose to hunger and thirst after the forbidden fruit rather than all the other trees God said they could eat from (Gen. 3:1-5). The devil deceived Eve by getting her to hunger and thirst after the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life (Gen. 3:6). After Jesus fasted 40 days, the devil tempted Him by the same schemes (Mt. 4:2ff). The word for “hungry” in Mt. 4:2 is the same one Jesus used as recorded in Matthew 5:6.

Are we Hungry and Thirsty for Sin? Jesus hungered and thirsted after righteousness (the word of God) instead of turning the stones into bread as the devil desired. As human beings, we are enticed to hunger and thirst to satisfy the lusts of the flesh, the eyes, and pride of life as Jesus was but He never gave in (1 John 2:15-17; Heb. 4:15). When we choose to sin we die spiritually and are separated from God. (James 1:13-16; Isaiah 59:1-2)

Are you Hungry and Thirsty for Righteousness? Jesus said in response to the devil’s temptation to satisfy His flesh, “Man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God” (Matt. 4:4). We should yearn for righteousness like a starving person seeks after food and a man dying of thirst desires water in the desert. We are all hungering and thirsting after something in this life. What do we desire?

Hunger & Thirst Like a Newborn “Like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation, if you have tasted the kindness of the Lord” (1 Peter 2:2-3). A newborn must have that milk to survive and as a Christian, we need to have that same appetite for the Scriptures. God promised His people that they would go to a land flowing with milk and honey (Ex. 3:8).

Hunger & Thirst Like a Newborn When we love something (like ice cream) we want more and more of it. We look forward to the next time we can have some more because it tastes so good to us. This is the same attitude that we should have towards the Bible. We have tasted the bitter fruit of sin but now we are born again to a living hope through the living word of God (1 Peter 1:22-25).

Hunger & Thirst Like a Newborn “O taste and see that the LORD is good; How blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!” (Psalms 34:8) Little children have so much joy for the word of God that Jesus told them that unless the adults were converted and became like them they would not go to heaven (Matt. 18:3). Are you hungering and thirsting for the word of God like a newborn baby desires that milk?

Hunger & Thirst to be Right with God We must have a great appetite that desires with every fiber of our being to be right with God. Jesus was baptized to fulfill all righteousness and we are buried with Christ in baptism so that our sins will be washed away by His blood (Matt. 3:15; Rom. 6:3-4; Acts 22:16). Timothy was taught the Scriptures by his mother and grandmother which gave him the wisdom to be right with God through Jesus Christ (2 Tim. 1:5; 3:15; Acts 16:1)

Hunger & Thirst to be Right with God The apostle Paul heard from the brethren at Lystra and Iconium concerning Timothy’s righteousness and desired to take him on his preaching journeys (Acts 16:2-3). Timothy was constantly nourished in the words of the faith so that he went from the milk to the meat of the word as he preached and practiced righteousness as Paul testifies. (1 Corinthians 4:17; Philippians 2:20-22)

Hunger & Thirst to be Right with God Does your soul thirst for God so that you can’t wait to worship God again (Ps. 42:1-2) … or are you forsaking assembling with the saints? (Heb. 10:25) Could you say with the Psalmist, “How sweet are Your words to my taste! Yes, sweeter than honey to my mouth!” (Psalms 119:103) … or has the word become stale to you? Is your delight in the Law of the Lord so that you meditate everyday (Ps. 1:2) or is it boring?

Hunger & Thirst for other Things Many are ignorant of God’s righteousness and thus seek to establish their own instead of submitting themselves to the gospel of Christ (Romans 10:3-4; 1:16-17; Judges 17:6) When they hear God’s word, Satan comes and takes it away (Mark 4:15). Thus they disregard God’s law and seek to satisfy their sinful lusts (alcohol, gambling, dancing, sexual immorality, etc.) (Ephesians 4:17-19; 1 Peter 4:3)

Hunger & Thirst for other Things Others may be blood thirsty for revenge on those who have wronged them (Romans 12:19). They might be hungry and thirsty for hearing the latest morsels of gossip which are digested and regurgitated hurting many people. (Proverbs 18:8; 26:20-22; 16:28) Even those who hungered after righteousness at one time may desire other things which the Bible describes as a dog returning to its own vomit (Mark 4:17-19; 2 Peter 2:20-22).

Jesus is the Bread of Life Just as Jesus satisfied the 5,000 men with 5 loaves and 2 fishes with much leftover, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness for they shall be satisfied” (Matthew 5:6) Jesus said, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst” (Jn. 6:35). Why would you perish in your sins hungering and thirsting after things that don’t satisfy?

Only Jesus can Satisfy your Hunger Jesus said to those who were satisfied in their sins, "Woe to you who are well-fed now, for you shall be hungry.” (Luke 6:25) But Jesus said to those who are thirsting for righteousness, "Blessed are you who hunger now, for you shall be satisfied.” (Luke 6:21) Jesus is the only source for satisfying your hunger and eternal life (John 14:6).

Conclusion If you are not hungering and thirsting to be right with God, you will be deceived by the devil and need to be taught again. (2 Thess. 2:10-12; Heb. 5:12-14) As Christians, if you are sinning willfully, it is like you are crucifying the Son of God again. (Heb. 6:4-6) Are you seeking the kingdom of God first and His righteousness or your own desires? (Matthew 6:33)

Conclusion If you’re hungry, come eat of the Bread of Life! If you’re thirsty, come and drink everlasting life! If you are guilty, come, obey the gospel or be restored and be cleansed from your sins! (Acts 2:37-38; 22:16; 8:20-22) All things are ready, come to the Feast!