1 - Introduction - Living like a real Christian 5 - Blessed are those who hunger and thirst | Page 8

The second aspect of this desire for righteousness is not that it should just be an exclusive
desire, but it should be an EXTREME desire.
Recently an international questionnaire was taken where parents were asked if they could
have one thing for their children what would it be. The Japanese said they wanted their
children to be successful, the English said they wanted their children to be comfortable, and
the Americans said they wanted their children to be happy. I am sure that all of these
parents had good intentions, but I cannot help but think that if we were to ask Joshua what
he would want for the children of Israel, success, comfort and happiness would not have
been anywhere near the top of his list. I think Joshua would, without hesitation, answer that
question with, “I want my children to be righteous.” This can certainly be seen in the way
that Joshua led the children of Israel. Have a look at how Joshua dealt with the sin of Achan
and you will see how seriously he took the issue of unrighteousness. Many would say that
his stand was somewhat extreme, but Joshua illustrates beautifully to us that there is a price
to pay for righteousness to prevail. His desire for the nation of Israel was not just that they
would be exclusively desirous of righteousness but that they would take an extreme stance
on it as well.
Elijah also illustrates this in 1 Kings 18, the extreme desire for righteousness. 450 prophets
of ba’al died at his hand that day and I am sure that the critics were out there to say, is that
not a bit extreme. Well, apparently it is not, because that’s the price we pay for
righteousness.
This extreme desire for righteousness reaches its ultimate height when we consider Jesus
on the cross, having been beaten and brutalised, He died so that we can experience true
righteousness. Again many of the critics would have looked at that and thought, is that not a
bit extreme. But no, it is not. You see, righteousness always comes at the point of an extreme
sacrifice. Even the teachings of Jesus illustrated this truth. In Matthew 5 v 29 – 30 Jesus said
that if your hand offends you, cut it off, or if your eye offends you, pluck it out. He is giving
here a picture of what it means to have an extreme desire for righteousness.
I believe that there is a direct link between this beatitude and the beatitude that speaks of
mourning over sin. When our desire for righteousness is an exclusive desire, we will see sin
through different eyes. This exclusive desire to love God and to know Him better wil