The Beatitudes: Global Perspectives on the Way of JesusSample

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.” 

Content warning: Today’s reading includes mention of sexual assault. 

Do you ever look around the world and think, it’s not supposed to be this way? 

There’s so much injustice. So much pain and suffering. So much that’s not right in the world. 

That feeling is a hunger and thirst for righteousness or translated another way, justice. It’s a constant reminder that we weren’t created for this—it’s not supposed to be this way. We long for the wholeness of the Garden of Eden, a time when God’s very good creation hadn’t yet been fractured by sin and deceit and injustice. 

Sometimes, longing for justice in a world that is so fractured feels foolish. But the fourth Beatitude tells us it’s not silly to long for justice—it’s a blessing. Our longing for justice will be fulfilled. In the meantime, as followers of Jesus and citizens of his upside-down kingdom, we can pursue justice. We can seek to make things right and restore God’s very good Creation in partnership with Him. 

In 2018, 13-year-old Mali was sexually assaulted by her teacher at her boarding school in Thailand. This egregious betrayal of her trust might have gone unaccounted for if it wasn’t for a brave friend who spoke up and the staff at her Compassion center who resolved to seek justice. 

“It was very hard in the beginning when Mali was going through the investigation and court appointments,” says Suwachai, the director of Mali’s Compassion center. “That year was hard for her and for all of us, to believe in justice for poor people like us.”  

Globally, the vast majority of sexual assaults are never reported, and even less result in the perpetrator being brought to justice. That was almost the case for Mali when the perpetrator attempted to bribe her family to keep their mouths shut, knowing they were poor and likely couldn’t afford to put up a fight. 

But the community around her wouldn’t have it. Compassion covered all the costs for Mali’s family, and Compassion staff stood by her every step of the way. Thankfully, against all odds, the perpetrator was brought to justice—sentenced to 12 years in prison and a 200,000 baht fine (equivalent to approximately CA$8,500). 

“I know now that I have a voice,” says Mali. “When wrong things happen, I know I have the right to speak.” 

How can you seek justice in an unjust world? Today, know that you can lean into your longing for justice with the assurance of Jesus’ words: they will be filled.  

Prayer: 

God of justice, so much feels not right in our world. Yet we know you long for justice far more than we ever could. And we also know that in you, it is finished—we have the assurance of your kingdom come. May that spur us on as we fight for justice here and now, knowing that you stand with us when we stand up for what is right. Give us the courage to seek restoration in our fractured world. In Jesus’ name. Amen.