Christ Preaching in the Temple
Guercino, 1591-1666. Christ Preaching in 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=57966 [retrieved July 2, 2021]. Original source: http://www.getty.edu/art/collection/objects/68/giovanni-francesco-barbieri-called-il-guercino-'the-squinter'-christ-preaching-in-the-temple-italian-about-1625-1627/.
Those who set out to share the good news often discover that they are changed in the process. Good news does not always travel on a one-way street.
We not only invite others to join us but we also respond to the invitation to join others, to learn what they have seen and heard of God’s ways and God’s word. We join each other. We join together in an unfolding journey of discovery and discipleship.
Martin B. Copenhaver
We not only invite others to join us but we also respond to the invitation to join others, to learn what they have seen and heard of God’s ways and God’s word. We join each other. We join together in an unfolding journey of discovery and discipleship.
Martin B. Copenhaver
Spiritual Practices: Imagining the Text
Sometimes passages in the Bible need to be observed and absorbed with awe and wonder instead of analyzed, dissected, and categorized. Read this passage over in its entirety a few times. As you do, imagine that you are a participant in the scene. Here are a few ideas to get you started.
Sometimes passages in the Bible need to be observed and absorbed with awe and wonder instead of analyzed, dissected, and categorized. Read this passage over in its entirety a few times. As you do, imagine that you are a participant in the scene. Here are a few ideas to get you started.
- Imagine that you are one of Jesus disciples returning to his home town with him. What kind of reception are you expecting? How do you think the people of Nazareth will respond when their most famous son comes home?
- What is your response when the people start questioning Jesus after his teaching? How do you feel when they are offended by him?
- By this point, you are used to people crowding around Jesus and asking to be healed or delivered. However, this time only a few people straggle forward; most of the crowd turns and leaves. Finally, Jesus becomes you to come away with him and you leave the town of Nazareth together. What are your thoughts as you walk away? How did your experience compare with what you expected? Why do you think the people of Nazareth responded to Jesus the way that they did?
- Now imagine that you are one of the disciples that Jesus sends out. He pairs you up with another disciple and sends you of with some parting instructions. You are to go to nearby villages, proclaim that Jesus has come, and pray for those who are sick and oppressed.
- Why do you think Jesus sent you out with someone else?
- How do you feel when you and your partner leave to go out and proclaim Jesus' message on your own?
- How do you feel the first time someone listens to and accepts the message about Jesus? How do you feel the first time someone is healed or delivered?
- What do you want to tell Jesus and the other disciples when you get back?
Spiritual Practices: Breath Prayer
Overview
Jesus didn't just do his work on his own. His plan was to leave his mission to his disciples, his church, and ultimately us. Like the disciples, we are to carry own his work, share his message, and pray for healing and deliverance. There is nothing more exciting, more fulfilling, more meaningful, than being part of what God is doing in the world around us. That is what this breath prayer is about.
Prayer
Lord Jesus Christ, send me
Overview
Jesus didn't just do his work on his own. His plan was to leave his mission to his disciples, his church, and ultimately us. Like the disciples, we are to carry own his work, share his message, and pray for healing and deliverance. There is nothing more exciting, more fulfilling, more meaningful, than being part of what God is doing in the world around us. That is what this breath prayer is about.
Prayer
Lord Jesus Christ, send me