Who shall be satisfied?
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they shall be satisfied.” (Matt 5:6)
You are warmly welcome!
A search for satisfaction is in the inside of every living being; so, we look out for food, entertainment, occupations, friendships, family – to be satisfied. The Greek root ‘chorta-’ for the word ‘satisfy’ literally means a ‘court’ or ‘garden’, as well as by implication, pasture, grass or hay. Its verb form means to fodder, to supply food in abundance, to feed, fill or satisfy. The value of good pasture ‘courts’ is best told by pastoralists who live in desert lands such as Palestine; when their cattle or sheep are hungry, they feel even more hungry and worried; such pasture is the source of their livelihood, comfort and hope for the future. It ‘satisfies’.
This Greek root ‘chorta-’ appears twelve times in the Gospels, eight of which relate to the two accounts of Jesus’ feeding the five thousand and the four thousand. The disciples asked, ‘Where are we to get enough bread in such a desolate place to feed [and satisfy] so great a crowd?’ (Mt 15:33). However, in both episodes, ‘they all ate and were satisfied’. Jesus made it clear to the hungry Canaanite woman that He had come to feed and satisfy the children first (Mark 7:27). Although Jesus’ mission had a target group, many more people were hungry elsewhere. Again in Jesus’ parable, poor Lazarus desired in vain to be fed and satisfied with what fell from the rich man's table (Luke 16:21). He was only satisfied when he went to Abraham’s bosom in the kingdom of the King.
Who then will be satisfied? Not necessarily those who hang out with the rich or those who come from strong nations, but those who look to Jesus Christ – our righteousness. Hunger and thirst are expressive of strong desire; those who feel that they are lost sinners and strongly desire to be holy, are welcome: Moreover, no other hunger has a promise and lofty blessedness except the hunger and thirst for righteousness. Jesus Christ calls us to focus on the only longing, prospect and expectation that will not be thwarted - for righteousness. Jesus Christ is our righteousness, and he satisfies all that come to Him, and they will forever be satisfied in His eternal Kingdom.
God bless you!