Monday, November 19, 2012

The Beatitudes.....Final Thoughts



Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. 
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. 
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. 
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. 
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God. 
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

My Bible classes began working on the Beatitudes recently. The statements of Jesus at the outset of the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew's chapter five are familiar to Christians but are often foreign to the way we act. How are we supposed to rejoice and mourn concurrently? Who feels good about being mistreated? Philip Yancey translated these teachings as Lucky Are The Unlucky. Our class periods centered around our own translations of these contradictory, to the non-believer, words of truth from the lips of the Savior. Each student was assigned the task of recreating the Beatitudes in ways that made sense to them in twenty-first century Houston, Texas. What follows is a sampling of the theology of my students. Tonight, I'm sharing the thoughts of my third period Gospels class. Girls are in pink, boys are in blue.

Blessed are the tired for there will be plenty of time to sleep in heaven.
-Chad
Blessed are the abused for God will cradle you with soft hands in heaven.
-Bruse
Blessed are the elderly for their wisdom is unmatched.
-Cameron
Blessed are the overweight for it is the fullness of God's love that fills them.
-Brandon
Blessed are those who experience sleepless nights for God shall bring you peace of mind.
-Taylor S.
Blessed are those who make pizza for they satisfy my appetite.
-Charles
Blessed are those who are unseen by many for heaven will be their center stage.
-Evan
Blessed are the caregivers for God will take care of them.
-Nathan
Blessed are those who wear no makeup for they are truly beautiful.
-Clay
Blessed are those with no shoes for their feet can be washed.
-Caitlyn
Blessed are the misunderstood for they can tell their story to God.
-Julia
Blessed are those who listen for God will give them wisdom.
-Taylor C.
Blessed are the bad writers for there will be no more essays.
-Nick
Blessed are those who are quick to listen and slow to speak for they will have few mistakes.
-Kirk
Blessed are the deaf for there are silent movies in heaven.
-Eric
Blessed are those who are in love for they can share their love through God.
-Diamond
Blessed are those with innocence for it will be never be spoiled.
-Jake
Blessed are the simple for the complexity of life will never harm them.
-Austin
Blessed are the unseen artists for they will paint the halls of heaven.
-Katherine
Blessed are the selfish for they will learn how to share in heaven.
-Chris
Blessed are the fighters for they know God is in their corner.
Jonathan

God bless,
Steve
Luke 18:1
www.hawleybooks.com
E-mail me at steve@hawleybooks.com

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