Why we want to be hungry

Alexei Navalny was probably murdered in Russia. On Sunday, my vicar, Jerry, told me about the mock trial in 2021 when Navalny revealed that he had become a Christian. Facing prison, Navalgny quoted the verse that I was preaching on: “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied.” 

I confess I never liked this verse much because I don’t like being hungry. How could being hungry and thirsty be a blessing?

Here is why - a full cup can’t be filled.

A baby who doesn’t want to feed fails to thrive.

Sometimes we aren’t hungry because we fill up with the wrong stuff. Like when one of my sons ate an entire tube of Pringles. Unsurprisingly, he didn’t want supper.

Sometimes it’s not bad stuff that fills the gaps. In Luke 14, Jesus described someone turning down an invite to heaven’s banquet to check out their oxen. Idiotic! That’s like us being too busy with work or family to prioritise God. It wasn’t anything wrong but it wasn’t worth eternity. 

When the first set of invites for the banquet were refused, a new set went out – this time, to the hungry. Their hunger was a blessing because it sent them to the eternal feast.

What is this righteousness that we are to hunger for? The Bible Project describes it as right relating – to God, to each other and to our world.

We were made for this so even though it may be costly, it satisfies. Navalny said,“while certainly not really enjoying the place where I am, I have no regrets…. It’s fine, because I did the right thing. On the contrary, I feel a real kind of satisfaction”.

The God who loves us wants us satisfied. The word “makarios” translated “Blessed” in the Beatitudes means supremely happy. Because God loves us and that’s what he wants for us nothing less than the supreme happiness that only comes from righteousness,

You heavens above, rain down my righteousness; let the clouds shower it down.
Let the earth open wide to receive it! Isaiah 45:8

I am deeply challenged by Navalny but deeply encouraged that God wants to satisfy our hunger. God himself offers to be our righteousness, not only washing away unrighteousness through the Cross but offering the power to live right through His Spirit. That’s why my lovely dad views this beatitude more as a promise than a command.

As Lent unfolds, here is opportunity to re-order our desires. I doubt we will have to make the sacrifice of Navalny but we can ask God to stir our hunger for his righteousness that we may be filled - here this side of heaven and on the day of the heavenly feast!

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If you want to hear the full talk, you can find it here on the St.John’s Hampton Wick website.