The man who is beginning to walk in meekness (Matthew 5 v5) is going to need something else to fuel his thinking. He is no longer fighting his own corner, he has deposed himself from the throne of ‘self’.
In this verse we see Jesus offering a new focus – something better to live for.
Before this man would be seeking position and power all under the terrible banner of pride. His thoughts and energies spent on self promotion and a seeking of the limelight. Now this hunger and thirst to live for something has a new centre – He has seen Jesus and His righteousness. Only a passionate and vigorous pursuit of His righteousness will satisfy. All else fades as this happy man devotes is life to the pursuit of righteousness.
What is righteousness?