Our cravings expose what we truly desire.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
Matthew 5:6

"Everything hinges on the meaning of the word righteousness."
— Scot McKnight

"The key is to understand what the word righteousness means."
— Glen Stassen

The Greek word (“dikaiosune”) translated “righteousness" refers to relationships characterized by justice.

You can’t be righteous without being just.

“I hate, I despise your religious festivals; your assemblies are a stench to me. Even though you bring me burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them.
Though you bring choice fellowship offerings, I will have no regard for them. Away with the noise of your songs! I will not listen to the music of your harps. But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream!
Amos 5:21-24

Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill and cumin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former.
Matthew 23:23

Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen.
1 John 4:20

Bottom Line

We are to hunger for communion with God & thirst for the well-being of others.

Jesus embodied the justice of God in his relationship with others.

Action Steps

Prayer: Create some space to sit with Jesus and reflect on the following:

• What do I truly hunger and thirst for in life?  Do I have any disordered desires?
• What “false fillers” take me away from Jesus or give me a false sense of being filled?
• Where does my selfishness get in the way of loving and serving others?

Practice:

• Talk to Jesus before touching your phone each day this week
• Put someone else’s needs before your own in a way that is inconvenient