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MEEKNESS AND THE HUNGER FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS
MATTHEW 5:5,6
Series:  The Beatitudes - Happiness is... - Part Two

Pastor Stephen Muncherian
November 8, 1998

This morning we’re continuing our look at real happiness and how to experience it. What we’ve been talking about is not a temporary optimism or good feeling - But a deep down lasting state of peace and hope - the happiness that comes as we live within the presence and power of God. Its a sad reality - most people are not happy.

I invite you to turn with me to Matthew 5:5,6 and we’re going to look at what Jesus tells us about how to have real happiness. These verses are part of what has been called the Beatitudes. The word “beatitude” comes from the Latin “beatus” which means “blessed” - it translates the Greek makarios - which means blessed or happy. In other words - if we live according to what Jesus teaches here we will be happy - blessed.

In Matthew 5:5,6 - Jesus says, "Blessed - or happy - are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied."

First, Jesus says that:

1. MEEKNESS LEADS TO HAPPINESS (v. 5)

"Happy are the meek”

Imagine the entrance to Heaven - and there are lines of people waiting to get in. Each line of people is a different category. The longest line has a sign in front of it that reads “Hen Pecked Husbands” - You know what I mean - a Hen-Pecked-Husband? A wife says, “Honey do this and honey do that.” And the husband says, “Yes dear, of course dear, anything you say dear.”

The longest line is front of this sign that says, “Hen Pecked Husbands” - there are thousands of men waiting in this line. And next to it is another sign that says, “King of His Castle.” And in this line there’s only one man. And the angel in charge of that line looks at this one man and says, “What are you doing here?” And the man says, “I don’t know. My wife told me to stand here.”

When we think of meekness - we often think of weakness. Like a being a doormat that says “STEP HERE.” And the meek just sort of lay there and let the world wipe their feet all over them.

J. Upton Dickson wrote a book entitled “Cower Power.” He also founded an organization for submissive people called DOORMATS. That stands for "Dependent Organization of Really Meek And Timid Souls -- if there are no objections." Their motto was: "The meek shall inherit the earth -- if that's okay with everybody."

We rebel against meekness. We think of ourselves as courageous and strong - conquerors. Meekness sounds too much like surrender - capitulation.

We live in a world that is very defensive and frightened. Its filled with people demanding that their rights be protected. NBA players who yearly get paid more than billions of people will earn in a lifetime - demanding the right to have more. A misspoken comment leads to a lawsuit. An argument between kids leads to gunshots after school. Husbands and wives and kids who have marked off their territory at home. Everywhere we go people are on edge - responding with unrestrained defensiveness that no one can ever, to any degree step into their space without paying a price for it. Our society tells us to demand our rights. The meek get run over.

But, meekness is not weakness. Jesus is saying that those who’ve figured out life are those who understand who they are before God. The meek recognize that they are poor in spirit - they are broken-hearted over their sins - they do not demand their rights - because they realize God’s grace and provision for their lives. It takes great strength and courage and character to admit our weakness and need.

Meekness before God is the beginning of great blessing and happiness. In Psalm 37:11 - David writes, “The meek shall posses the land.” The Hebrew word which is translated “meek” literally means, “to be molded.” In Psalm 37 David says, “Fret not yourself because of the wicked.” Instead, “commit thy way unto the Lord.” Literally, let yourself become putty in God’s hand - be molded by Him. If we submit our lives to the purposes of God - eventually real blessing and happiness will be our reward.

Second - Jesus says:

2 THE INSATIABLE DESIRE FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS LEADS TO HAPPINESS (v. 6)

There's a story about a proud young man who came to Socrates asking for knowledge. He walked up to the muscular philosopher and said, "O great Socrates, I come to you for knowledge."

Socrates led the young man through the streets, to the sea, and chest deep into water. Then he asked, "What do you want?"

"Knowledge, O wise Socrates," said the young man with a smile.

Socrates put his strong hands on the man's shoulders and pushed him under. Thirty seconds later Socrates let him up. "What do you want?" he asked again.

"Knowledge," the young man sputtered,"O great and wise Socrates."

Socrates pushed him under again. Thirty seconds passed, thirty-five. Forty. Socrates let him up. The man was gasping. "What do you want, young man?"

Between heavy, heaving breaths the fellow wheezed, "Knowledge, O wise and wonderful..."

Socrates jammed him under again Forty seconds passed. Fifty. "What do you want?"

"Air!" he screeched. "I need air!"

"When you want knowledge as you have just wanted air, then you will have knowledge."

Do we have an insatiable desire for righteousness - to live right with God - to wholly do God’s will from our heart - to see others come to know a right relationship with God through Jesus Christ? This is what Jesus has in mind here - to hunger and thirst for righteousness - to be consumed with the pursuit of righteousness.

Let me put this more practically.

For the last several weeks the women of our church have been preparing food for the Bazaar. And of everything they’ve been preparing the soubouragee impresses me the most.

I love soubouragee. When I was living in L.A. I used to order C.A.C.C. soubouragee and my folks would bring it down with them. And I would hoard it like treasure.

Making soubouragee there’s this complicated process. Making most Armenian foods is a complicated process. I can imagine our ancestors sitting around the kitchen in Turkey trying to out do each other with new and more complicated ways to make food.

As far as I understand it - with soubouragee - first the dough is prepared - and made into little balls - and then it has to sit. And then its rolled out with these long rolling pins - into flat sheets of dough. Then its boiled to cook it - and then quickly put into ice water - to stop it from cooking - and then dried - and then laid out in a buttered pan - 5 layers of dough with butter between each - then the meechoug - with cheese and parsley - then 4 layers of dough with butter between each. Then it gets frozen or cooked.

Process and Product. Practically - the process of pursuing righteousness is as important as the product.

When we come to salvation in Jesus Christ - God gives us the ingredients of righteousness. Our sins are forgiven - we’re put into a right relationship with God - we have the hope of eternal life with God.

But, the process of living out the Christian life - of being made into righteous individuals has just begun. That process is important - because through the process we experience God’s blessing and true happiness.

Our bodies were designed by God to function in such a way that we grow hungry periodically and - hopefully - eat a healthy meal that helps us to live healthy vigorous lives. Spending energy in activity leads to hunger again.

That’s what Jesus has in mind here. As we hunger and thirst for righteousness - God gives us all the good that comes with righteousness experience. That in turn leads to a life of service for God - a life worth living - and “righteous exercise” leads us to hunger again for righteousness - and His fulfillment - and so on - a continuing process. The one who hungers and thirsts for righteousness will be satisfied.

Watch those who are here on Sunday - Sunday after Sunday - who come early to prepare themselves - who come with expectation - to worship God and to hear from God - not joking or talking - or chewing gum - but to seek filling from God. Pay attention to those who are dedicated to Bible study and prayer. Observe the homes that are focused on serving God. Follow the example of those who are dedicated to sharing the Gospel with others. Individuals and families that are meek - aware of their need - and who desire to be molded by God - whose insatiable desire is the righteousness of God. And these are the people - who regardless of the circumstances of their lives - are happy - filled and fulfilled.