The Beatitudes Updated .....Scene IV

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 nine 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. All are used by permission with boys in blue and girls in pink:

Blessed are the insightful for God will use them to do good things. (Sidnee)

Blessed are the students for there will be no more late night studying in heaven. (Rianna)

Blessed are the believers for soon they will be rewarded. (Sophia)

Blessed are the discouraged for your success awaits you. (Madison)

Blessed is my girlfriend for she makes me happier than anyone else. (Markus)

Blessed are the poor for they will be satisfied listening to God. (Giovanna)

Blessed is the student cheering section for they fill the atmosphere with love and support. (Dessiah)

Blessed are the homeless for in heaven they will have a roof over their head. (Alexandria)

Blessed are those with open eyes for they will see many wonders. (Derrick)

Blessed are the abused for their minds will be calmed. (Lyanne)

Blessed are those who society looks down on for they will have a higher position among the angels. (Drew)

Blessed are the elderly for they provided us with the wise words we will remember as long as we live. (Kelsey)

Blessed are those who don't believe now for they soon will be brought to God. (Amy Cu)

Blessed are the old for they will be young in heaven. (Arye)

Blessed are the strong for they can protect the disabled. (Caleb)

Blessed are the sick for their bodies will be pure and clean in heaven. (Sarah)

Blessed are the patient for their turn will come. (Josh L)

Blessed are the patient for the greatest experiences take their time to unravel. (Julia)

Blessed are those with siblings for they will cherish their love for one another. (Caitlyn)

Blessed are the performers for heaven will be the ultimate stage. (Mallory)

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