The Beatitudes Updated

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 eighth period Gospels' class, one third of whom are from Asia. Girls are in pink, boys are in blue.

Blessed are those who try for they are the true winners.
-Hyungi
Blessed are the translators for international students so it is easier to get God's help. 
-Tina
Blessed are the pens which write down the words in people's hearts. 
-Jasmine
Blessed are the scared for there is nothing to be afraid of in heaven. 
-Wade
Blessed are the leaders for they will follow in Jesus' footsteps.
-Valerie
Blessed are the single mothers for they will be supported by God. 
-Mary
Blessed are those who have no money for they will not be afraid it will be stolen. 
-Sophie
Blessed are the shy from they will have bravery.
-Anh
Blessed are the sinners who cannot find their way for they will follow the light of life. 
-Angela

Blessed are the mute for they speak the truth with their actions.

-Minna

Blessed are those who see souls instead of forms because they can share this with the world.

-Amara

Blessed are the hidden for God will seek your appearance in His presence. 

-Erin

Blessed are those who don't make good grades for God will make them successful by His standards.
-Rebecca

Blessed are the dying for only in death can they find true life. 

-Alejandro

Blessed are those with no homes for the kingdom of God is the best house.
-Ben

Blessed are those who are said to be mistakes for God has given them a purpose.

-Mandy

Blessed are the younger children for they will not have to fight their siblings in heaven. 

-Cydney

Blessed are the lonely for you are surrounded by the angels of God. 

-Isabel

Blessed are those who complain because when God is with them, they will never do it again.

-Jake

Blessed are the quiet for in heaven, they will need no words. 

-Bryan

Blessed are those who lay down their lives for they will gain life. 

-Harrison

Blessed are the Chinese for they will see God. 

-Michael

Blessed are the outsiders for they will get to sit on God's knee.

-Grace

Blessed are the blind for God's light shines through their eyes. 

-Sarah

Blessed are those with a big heart for it will be filled with immense joy. 

-Simone

God bless,

Steve
Luke 18:1

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E-mail me at steve@hawleybooks.com