Tuesday, March 25, 2008

The Beatitudes in Two Views

Not too long ago I was given a slip of paper in Sunday school where two views of the Beatitudes (Matthew 5: 3-11) was provided. The painting provided with this post is Jesus giving his sermon on the Mount of Olives by Simon Gustave Dore in 1865 taken from this site where you can find more information regarding the Beatitudes and their interpretation.


1. Jesus: Blessed are the poor in spirit, because the kingdom of heaven is theirs.
The World: Blessed are the rich and famous, for they will be recognized as important people.

2. Jesus: Blessed are those who mourn, because they will be comforted.
The World: Blessed are people who party, for they will enjoy life to the fullest.

3. Jesus: Blessed are the gentle, because they will inherit the earth.
The World: Blessed are the aggressive, for they will inherit the earth.

4. Jesus: Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, because they will be
filled.
The World: Blessed are people who do their own thing, for they will find personal fulfillment

5. Jesus: Blessed are the merciful, because they will be shown mercy.
The World: Blessed are those who take care of number one, for they don’t need to worry about anyone else.

6. Jesus: Blessed are the pure in heart, because they will see God.
The World: Blessed are the wheelers and dealers, for they are winners in this dog-eat dog world.

7. Jesus: Blessed are the peacemakers, because they will be called sons of God.
The World: Blessed are those who do not get involved in other people’s problems, for they will not get caught in the middle.

8. Jesus: Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness, because the kingdom of
heaven is theirs.
The World: Blessed are those who don’t rock the boat, for everyone will like them.

4 comments:

Becca said...

We have really been dealing with number seven. It's so easy to just step aside and not get involved. I'm enjoying perusing your blog.

Anonymous said...

I really like how you peak my intest to not only appreciate the selections you choose but to also check them out to read more. Thanks!

John, an unlikely pastor said...

Very nice contrast of the world's logic to Jesus'. Its amazing to think of what the world would be like if we lived it for even 60 seconds.

Anonymous said...

The worldy views posted on this site are what most people take the beatitudes as, but none of these are true! The last shall be first, and the first shall be last.

This blog is a bunch of crap, and if you read the bible, you'll see its all crap too!

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