Lectio Divina: Looking to Understand

You can hear the same Bible passage a hundred times and still miss the one line you needed today. We slow everything down with this guided meditation that is simple on purpose: settle into an upright seat, take a few deep breaths, and practice listening to Scripture with patience instead of pressure. 

Look with new eyes and see what God is inviting you to hear.

For more on the theme Looking to Understand, see page 109 of With God in Every Breath by Whitney R. Simpson.

Transcript

Welcome And Settle Your Breath

SPEAKER_00 0:01

Hi, I'm Whitney and you're listening to Exploring Peace Meditations. Today we will sit with one of my favorite practices of simply listening to Scripture. As we listen today, I invite you to look at it with new eyes. To pay attention to see what God is inviting you to hear in this season as you hear a passage you've likely heard before. Go ahead and find a seated posture, one in which you can feel comfortable and supported, but also breathe fully and deeply. I'll invite you into some neck movement later in our listening together, so an upright seated posture would be best. Allow your distractions to fall away. Take a few deep, purposeful breaths. Luke chapter 18, verses 31 through 34. Simply listen. Then Jesus took the twelve off to the side and said, Listen carefully. We're on our way up to Jerusalem. Everything written in the prophets about the Son of Man will take place. He will be handed over to the Romans, jeered at, ridiculed, and spit on. Then, after giving him the third degree, they will kill him. In three days he will rise alive. But they didn't get it, could make neither heads nor tails of what he was talking about. Take a moment to see this passage in your mind. As you listen again, as you see Jesus, as you see the disciples, what do you notice as you look upon this scene? What stands out to you this time as you listen? Then Jesus took the twelve off to the side and said, Listen carefully. We're on our way up to Jerusalem. Everything written in the prophets about the Son of Man will take place. He will be handed over to the Romans, jeered at, ridiculed, and spit on. Then, after giving him the third degree, they will kill him. In three days he will rise alive. But they didn't get it, could make neither heads nor tails of what he was talking about. In the quiet, just notice what you see in your mind's eye as you look to understand this passage today. Now listen again. As you hear the words this time, notice if there's something Jesus wants you to pay attention to. Not simply what the disciples may have missed, but what does Jesus want you to hear today? Then Jesus took the twelve off to the side and said, Listen carefully. We're on our way to Jerusalem. Everything written in the prophets about the Son of Man will take place. He will be handed over to the Romans, jeered at, ridiculed, and spit on. Then after giving him the third degree, they will kill him. In three days he will rise alive. But they didn't get it, could make neither heads nor tails of what he was talking about. In the quiet, ask God if there's anything that you're to hear today in this passage. What does God want you to notice? Listen one more time. In the quiet that follows, you'll respond to God. Anything that comes upon your heart that you long to say to God today. Then Jesus took the twelve off to the side and said, Listen carefully. We're on our way up to Jerusalem. Everything written in the prophets about the Son of Man will take place. He will be handed over to the Romans, jeered at, ridiculed, and spit on. Then after giving him the third degree, they will kill him. In three days, he will rise alive. But they didn't get it, could make neither heads nor tails of what he was talking about. In the quiet, respond to God in any way for any word, image, or phrase, or nudge that has arisen for you today as you've listened to the bottom. Creator God, help us look for you even when we can't understand or see all the details. Amen. When you're ready, I'd invite you to sit up nice and tall if your posture has shifted, and take a few centering breaths. You can practice this simple exercise with eyes closed or open. Take a moment and allow your eyes to travel up toward the ceiling. Begin by looking up, gently lifting your gaze. Looking up and welcoming Christ's presence today. Hold this lifted gaze for a few seconds as you breathe. Now slowly lower your gaze, not your head, just your eyes. Eyes can be opened or closed, looking downward within yourself. Hold this gaze, breathe. Gently lift your gaze to the left, not your head, just your eyes, symbolizing your willingness to explore new horizons. Hold this gaze and breathe. Now gently let your eyes travel to the right, representing your receptivity to the world's beauty and wonder. Openness to what God has you see anew today. Hold this gaze and breathe. Now return your gaze to the center, reminding yourself with the next full breath that Christ is the center of your life, and that you long to have your eyes always focused on God, even when it's hard to see. Say to yourself, Jesus, help me keep my eyes on you. Jesus, help me keep my eyes on you. Jesus, help us keep our eyes on you. In your holy name we pray. Amen. Thank you for exploring the gift of God's peace with me. You can find me at Whitneyr Simpson.com. My books and more are also there. You can find more of the podcast at exploringpeace.com. Connect with us there. I'd love to hear from you. Until next time, may God's peace be with you.