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I recently learned a new word, thirst trap. Have you heard this one? A thirst trap is defined by dictionary.com as “a social media post, especially a selfie or other photo, intended to elicit sexual attention, appreciation of one’s attractiveness, or other positive feedback.”*

In other words, some people have such a desperate need for attention they will do or post anything to get it.  They post selfies of outrageous stunts, or photos of themselves – usually in a swimsuit, underwear or posing like a body builder. The entire exercise is to feed their ego. That’s a thirst trap.

Ok, so let’s forget all the selfie and “trap” parts and focus on the word thirst. Our culture uses it for a desperate desire. Such as a “thirst for attention.” This usage fits with the way Jesus used the word in Matthew 5:6. He said, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.” (NIV)

The “thirst” Jesus described is a desperate desire to be pleasing to God. But it is not a trap. It is not seeking to glorify self or gain praise from others. It is not an exercise in ego. Rather, it seeks the approval of the just and righteous God. If you thirst for righteousness, you can be filled through faith in Jesus and the righteousness God provides to those who seek him.

*https://www.dictionary.com/browse/thirst-trap

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Bumper music “Landing Place” performed by Mark July, used under license from Shutterstock.

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I love this end of summer! Fresh fruit and garden produce is so tasty! Watermelon, peaches, cantaloupe, fresh green beans and other vegetables are in season. Recently, a few in our family got together for a meal. It was no special occasion, but the food was good! Besides grilled chicken, we had fresh tomatoes and ears of sweet corn smothered in butter and sprinkled with salt. I ate two big ears! We also had pan fried okra and some salad. I was full at the end of the meal! No, I wasn’t miserably full – but I wasn’t hungry anymore!

This reminds me of what Jesus said in Matthew 5:6, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.” (NIV) That word filled I understand. It means to be satisfied, to have no room left – just like I was full after our summer meal. The word was also used of fattening up livestock, of feeding them full. Ok, maybe we shouldn’t talk too much about that mental picture! But you get the idea of being filled.

If you seek the righteousness of God, God will provide it. The righteousness he gives through faith in Jesus leaves no room for anything else. He will satisfy the spiritual hunger and thirst you have. That’s why having that desire is a blessing. Let God fill your spiritual hunger!

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Bumper music “Landing Place” performed by Mark July, used under license from Shutterstock.

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This week, we are exploring the Beatitude found in Matthew 5:6, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.” We have examined the words hunger and thirst. They show us that we must have an intense desire for righteousness. It is like the hunger Jesus experienced after fasting for 40 days and nights.

But what is righteousness? The word describes someone who fulfills the requirements of God’s law in a way that pleases God. This was the reason Jesus gave to be baptized by John the Baptist. The account is in found in Matthew 3:13-15:

“Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. But John tried to deter him, saying, ‘I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?’ Jesus replied, ‘Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.’ Then John consented.” (NIV)

Do you have an intense desire to be pleasing and acceptable to God? That’s great! But one word of caution: your efforts to keep God’s laws are not enough. Don’t seek your righteousness, seek God’s! That is what Matthew 6:33 says, “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (NIV) Our hunger and thirst must be for the righteousness that comes from God!

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Bumper music “Landing Place” performed by Mark July, used under license from Shutterstock.

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My high school football coach made us run wind sprints during pre-season practice in the brutally hot, August heat of central Kansas. We all lined up for water when we had a chance. This is probably the thirstiest I have ever been.

What is the thirstiest you have ever been? Were you also out on the sports field, hot and sweaty? Maybe you were working on the farm or on an outdoor project. Or was it a long hike on a hot day when you didn’t bring enough water? Or maybe you’ve never been really thirsty.

Most of us live in climate-controlled comfort. Our homes and vehicles are air conditioned. We carry water bottles or stop at a convenience store for a soda. Most of us have not experienced desperate thirst and dehydration.

That level of thirst, that lack of water can have dangerous effects. Recently, a hiker on the Billy Goat Trail in Potomac, MD had to be rescued because of the intense heat and his lack of water. He became dazed and confused and lost his way. The Montgomery County Fire crew rescued him and he was transported to a hospital.*

Matthew 5:6 says, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.” (NIV) The word thirst describes an intense desire for water. How intense is your desire to be righteous? Is it a powerful thirst in your life?

*Dana Hedgpeth, “It’s too hot for the Billy Goat Trail, experts warn, after more than a dozen people are rescued in the heat,” The Washington Post, August 13, 2021, https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/it-e2-80-99s-too-hot-for-the-billy-goat-trail-experts-warn-after-more-than-a-dozen-people-are-rescued-in-the-heat/ar-AANhYOc.

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Bumper music “Landing Place” performed by Mark July, used under license from Shutterstock.

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In Matthew 5:6, Jesus said, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.” This week, we examine this Beatitude.

The first word to understand is hunger. Jesus is illustrating the desire for righteousness with the desire for food. But what type of hunger is this? Is he talking about having the munchies? Or is this the hunger when your stomach growls because it has been a few hours since you last ate? Or is this extreme hunger that leaves you weak?

The word used here can have a broad meaning, including intense hunger that leaves you weak. Listen to how this word is used in Matthew 4:1-2: “Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry.” (NIV)

I know people who have fasted for a day, or a meal a day for several days. But Jesus fasted both day and night for 40 days. He needed food! He was hungry! Keep this picture in mind when you think of this Beatitude! The same word is used in both passages.

To hunger for righteousness means to be acutely aware of our need for it. It is not the desire for a snack, but the longing to satisfy a need. We need righteousness. If we hunger for it, we will be filled.

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Bumper music “Landing Place” performed by Mark July, used under license from Shutterstock.