Did Jesus Really Say That? Qualified.

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

Interest rates have been at historic lows lately, so you might see a billboard advertising an amazingly low rate.  But often, if you look at the fine print, it will say “For qualified borrowers” – the rate is not available to everyone, just a select few.  That won’t shock many of us, because we quickly learn that the world works on qualifications:

• We have to qualify to get into a particular college.
• To qualify to be a professional athlete you must have exceptional hand-eye coordination, strength, size, or speed. If we don’t have those, we know not to even try for a career in professional sports.
• Even at Kennywood, “you must be ‘this’ tall” to ride certain rides!

We get the message: You gotta measure up -- some people have it, some people don’t.  Spiritually, who qualifies to be part of the Kingdom of God? Do you have to be “’this’ holy” to get in? Do some people “have it” and others don’t?

In Matthew chapter 5, Jesus speaks to those who are qualified to be a part of God’s blessing.  The good news is anyone who desires can be close to God.  We are all prequalified to know Jesus if we want to.  You don’t have to earn it or be good enough.  You just need a hunger for God!

How about you?  Have you been disqualifying yourself from God’s blessing and presence?  Have you written someone else off spiritually?  Or have you been trying to be good enough to earn God’s favor?

Take a few moments to read and reflect on Jesus’ most famous teaching “the sermon on the mount,” in Matthew chapter 5.  Blessed are. . .  All that are hungry for God.