Hunger for the Harvest Day 6: Satisfied

Jesus taught what is known as the Beatitudes or the Blessings to start off His Sermon on the Mount. I love that He began this teaching by defining what it means to follow Him in such a positive way, not in a condemning way!

The follower He describes is humble spiritually, connecting with those who are sad and full of grief, in a gentle way that is full of mercy. This person loves everyone and seeks peace for others. And he or she desperately hungers to be right with God in the way they live, no matter the sacrifice. They have a view of the big picture of the kingdom of God constantly in their mind, peopled with those who are blessing others in all these ways. From Matthew 5:3-9.

In verse 6, Jesus says:

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for right living, for they will be satisfied. Matthew 5: 6

John MacArthur describes hunger this way: “A starving person has a single, all-consuming passion for food and water. Nothing else has the slightest attraction or appeal.” I know that we aren’t really starving ourselves during our fasts, but this kind of hunger and thirst and passion is what Jesus is describing. A desperate hunger to be right with God, no matter what sacrifice He asks of us. When fasting, we will find ourselves joined more intimately to God.

Jesus connected passion and satisfaction. But fasting is not necessarily about feasting on any results of a fast. It’s more about jump-starting a growing desire and a resulting focus that allows God to bring about more permanent hunger and change within you. It is about developing good habits that become unquestioned. Each of us who follow Christ will change, and we can then begin to believe in change for the world we live in.

On a scale of 1-10, how would you measure the amount of passion you feel towards God and right living?

Whatever your number, looking at the big picture of your life, how satisfied, fulfilled or happy do you feel?

What one characteristic of a follower of Christ described in the Beatitudes above might God be asking you to grow in (Matthew 5:3-9)?

Blessed Jesus, I want to be Your gentle follower. Show me how to be merciful in thought and deed. Impassion me with Your love for all Your children. When I lay my head on my pillow at night, I want to be satisfied that I have sought You all day. Amen.