The Beatitudes...... Verse III

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 second period, eighth grade class. Girls are in pink, boys are in blue.

Blessed are the discriminated against because God sees all of us as equal.
-Myles
Blessed are those who ask for nothing for they will receive everything.
-Kameron
Blessed are the ignorant for in heaven, God will show you the truth.
-Donald
Blessed are the hungry for there is a buffet waiting for you.
-Peyton
Blessed are those in depression for they will find their counselor to talk to.
-Annaliza
Blessed are the homeless for God has reserved a place for them in heaven.
-Danita
Blessed are the tall for they will be the mountain which cannot fall.
-Edward
Blessed are the non-believers because we Christians will lead you to God.
-Roseline
Blessed are the widows for they will find love again.
-Jordan
Blessed are those who sin for you will be saved.
-Tevvin
Blessed are the listeners for they hear God's word.
-Robert
Blessed are the obese for they will be fit in God's eyes.
-Armani
Blessed are the trouble makers for everyone is an angel is God's eyes.
-Evony
Blessed are the rejected for they will be delivered to God's arms.
-Jose
Blessed are those who make mistakes because they will learn from them.
-Everett

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