Why is hungering and thirsting such a good illustration? Because as water and food is to the body, so righteousness is to the spiritual life. We as humans hunger and thirst not only for food but for satisfaction in life. We search in all kinds of different areas to be filled, to be satisfied, but we always end up falling short. All men are hungry and thirsty; the problem is that we try to fill that emptiness, that hunger, with things other than the righteousness of God. There is an incredible message of hope for you if you are searching for the answer. We are spending our money on things that do not satisfy; we are drinking from cisterns that can hold no water. Our satisfaction is not being met in the things of this world. We try to satisfy ourselves with money and power, education, boyfriends and girlfriends, toys and earthly possessions that allow us fun and entertainment for a time, yet all these things lead to a deeper sense of need, a deeper longing for satisfaction, because they do not fill that need. The joy that is offered to us, the peace that is offered to us, the satisfaction that is offered to us, is unbelievable if we would only grab hold of Jesus and His offer to be our satisfaction.
--Gordon Graven
6 comments:
In studying the Beatitudes a little online, I came across an explanation that the first three (blessed are those who are poor in spirit, who mourn, and who are meek) are the "emptying" Beatitudes that prepare us for the "filling" Beatitude that follows here. It is helpful for me to look at these lessons in this context, as it reminds me that seeking the Kingdom of God is a continual process of repentance, of "emptying" myself of the ways that prevent me from being like Jesus (pride, ego, selfishness, etc.), and then actively seeking to be "filled" by Him as an act of purposeful, driven pursuit. I need to remember that striving for righteousness and the kingdom life that God desires for me (both here on earth and in eternity) must be something that I am constantly and actively driven toward with passion and purpose. For if I am not constantly working toward it, then chances are I am falling behind!
Thanks for sharing that research Jen. I agree with your last statement... Living things never stay the same. Either they are growing or they are dying. I want to be growing!
Interesting how Gordon Graven places responsibility on the world for leading us further away from fulfilling our need. How many times do we say, I have to change this habit, but our deepest feelings prevent us from doing so--not enough energy, not enough faith or not a good enough track record. That is the world talking! Once we let negativity in, it is awfully hard to get out.
-Tim
What goes around comes around. When we desire righteousness and justice and live our life accordingly,we impact those around us. They in turn react to us,support us and "fill us." Together we can then make this word a better place. No one is an island unto themselves but together we move closer to God and create a just and righteous place here on earth.
Reading back to the first verse in this Scripture, it struck me that Jesus "sat" before he began speaking to the crowd. He didn't stand the way most speakers do, the way an authoritative figure would. He sat down. (My study Bible tells me rabbis customarily were seated when they taught.) I point this out because the Scripture creates an image for me of Jesus sitting on the hill,and the "hungry" crowd listening attentively to what the Teacher/Healer/Miracle Worker was saying. I imagine the people hanging on his every word. In the days leading up to what we now refer to as the "Sermon on the Mount," Jesus had been traveling the area, teaching and healing. The people who had followed him knew of His great works. Wow! I cannot imagine what they must have been thinking to have been in Jesus' presence. But I can imagine that they were hungry -- hungry to hear and experience His grace.
Jesus knew what we are hungry for and how much. He knows that our spirit is dry and thirsty, that our spirit is hungry for the righteousness in a world of constant empty promises. The crowed had been fed by
Jesus, they wanted a king to save them from the rule of Romans. And when Jesus performed all the miracles including healing, they wanted to grab ahold of Jesus for their earthly, physical fulfillment and be set free from the hardship. Yet Jesus saw the condition of the spirit, the inner man that will continue to live eternity and taught to seek the righteousness of
God and live. Jesus was and is the righteousness of God revealed to us. Our spirit can be filled only by His Spirit, and we will be satisfied by His constant filling in a new wine cloth (Holy Spirit filled in our spirit through repentance and receiving Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord). We must first put off the old wine skin sackcloth-our old selves- and put on a new garment of Christ and grow in His Word, God's righteousness and be transformed into His image of likeness...and reflect Him in this life journey through refinement until we see Him face to face.
Post a Comment