Spiritual Practices: Visio Divina
Visio Divina, or sacred seeing, is a type of prayer in which we allow our hearts and imaginations to enter into an image or a scene in silence to see what God might have to say to us. You can find out more about Visio Divina here. Spend some time prayerfully reflecting on the images below and listen to what God might say to you through them.
Visio Divina, or sacred seeing, is a type of prayer in which we allow our hearts and imaginations to enter into an image or a scene in silence to see what God might have to say to us. You can find out more about Visio Divina here. Spend some time prayerfully reflecting on the images below and listen to what God might say to you through them.
Jesus drives out the merchants
JESUS MAFA. Jesus drives out the merchants, from Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN. https://diglib.library.vanderbilt.edu/act-imagelink.pl?RC=48271 [retrieved March 2, 2024]. Original source: http://www.librairie-emmanuel.fr (contact page: https://www.librairie-emmanuel.fr/contact).
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Cleansing of the Temple
Aertsen, Pieter. Cleansing of the Temple, from Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN. https://diglib.library.vanderbilt.edu/act-imagelink.pl?RC=57352 [retrieved March 2, 2024]. Original source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Pieter_Aertsen_Christ_cleansing_the_Temple.png.
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Spiritual Practices: Questions Only
One way of studying and reflecting on Scripture is through the use of questions. Questions are good because they invite us deeper; they invite us to think, to wonder, to explore, and to experiment. The purpose of asking questions is not always to find answers. Instead, they open us up to new ways to experience the wonder and majesty of God. To learn more about using questions to explore and encounter God, click here.
As you read this passage, look for questions that may arise. Don’t look for quick answers. Instead, sit with and ponder the questions. Here are a few to get you started.
Starting Questions
One way of studying and reflecting on Scripture is through the use of questions. Questions are good because they invite us deeper; they invite us to think, to wonder, to explore, and to experiment. The purpose of asking questions is not always to find answers. Instead, they open us up to new ways to experience the wonder and majesty of God. To learn more about using questions to explore and encounter God, click here.
As you read this passage, look for questions that may arise. Don’t look for quick answers. Instead, sit with and ponder the questions. Here are a few to get you started.
Starting Questions
- Why were the merchants selling inside the temple grounds instead of outside?
- Is it possible that their motives might have been honorable at some point?
- If people exchanging money and buying livestock for offerings was an essential part of the worship in the temple, why did Jesus have such a problem with it?
- How long might it have taken Jesus to sit and make a whip?
- Was Jesus angry when he drove people out of the temple or was he premeditated?
- What can we learn from the way that Jesus about how we can tackle problems that we see?
- The disciples remembered the quote, "Zeal for your house will consume me." What does this quote in this context tell us about Jesus and his priorities?
- Why did the Jewish leaders want to see a miracle from Jesus?
- In what ways do we do the same thing as the Jewish leaders?
- What do we want to see Jesus do for us to help us believe in him?
- If we only believe in Jesus because of what he does for us, what does that say about our faith?
- Why did John say that the disciples remembered this event and believed in Jesus and the Scripture only after his resurrection?
- Are there times that we don't understand something Jesus says or does until later?