• **Notifications**: Notifications can be dismissed by clicking on the "x" on the righthand side of the notice.
  • **New Style**: You can now change style options. Click on the paintbrush at the bottom of this page.
  • **Donations**: If the Lord leads you please consider helping with monthly costs and up keep on our Forum. Click on the Donate link In the top menu bar. Thanks
  • **New Blog section**: There is now a blog section. Check it out near the Private Debates forum or click on the Blog link in the top menu bar.
  • Welcome Visitors! Join us and be blessed while fellowshipping and celebrating our Glorious Salvation In Christ Jesus.

Christian meditation

donadams

Senior Member
Joined
Jun 6, 2023
Messages
5,217
Reaction score
153
Points
63
Christian meditation:

Essential to the spiritual combat!

Parabellum: prepare for the spiritual warfare!

Onward Christian soldiers!

Christian meditation or mental prayer.

Philippians 4:8
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

The height of Christian meditation is the passion and death of Christ.

The agony in the garden:

The scourging at the pillar:
By His stripes we are healed.

The crowning with thorns.

The carrying of the cross.

Jesus dies on the cross.

Meditation on the sufferings of christ produces fruits of repentance and true sorrow for sin!
 
I have found there are strengths and weaknesses that develop when a person neglects the "spiritual disciplines" (prayer, Bible reading, fellowship, worship, meditation, contemplation, service, giving, etc.). Their neglect tends to bring symptoms, symptoms that are recognizable as areas of neglect much like a fever is a symptom of an infection or pain a symptom of injury. People who read but never pray or meditation, for example, tend toward legalism. They have the written unchangeable word, but no openness to the Spirit by which that same unchangeable word is further illuminated to apply to what God brings the person on any given day, or how the word might be applied in the land and generation to which the believer has been appointed. In contrast, those who always pray but never read are like the wave tossed about by the wind; lacking the unchangeable word they have nothing steadfast by which their prayer might be measured or obedient.

Meditation also changes the body. It changes the brain and the things meditated upon while in the various states of meditation can literally become part of the person's body because memory is recorded at a cellular level beginning in the brain. Jesus was the epitome of that condition.

@donadams , do you have specific texts in scripture more fully informing this op you'd care to post?
 
Just the verses relating to the passion of our savior!
 
Just the verses relating to the passion of our savior!
Three questions:

1) Will you cite two of them and offer personal commentary on them specifically pertaining to the point of the op?

2) Are there no other texts informing this op? I would suggest, for example the psalms are a very rich, diverse, and obvious example of mediation available to us for both their content and their precedent. I would also suggest that many of the people in the Bible meditated following their experience with God, even if not recorded as such. I cannot imagine Abraham didn't meditate on his dream, or the fact he wandered for a decade or more wondering what was expected of him, or that Moses didn't meditate similarly on his walk back home from the burning bush, or that a ginormous but sudden meditation/contemplation occurred in the brief period of time between the nets tearing a Peter asking Jesus to leave (indicating mediation can be brief and still be powerful). Are there no other passages besides the passion of Christ?

3) While I completely agree with you citing the passion, the passion is an example of mediation amidst intense suffering. Can't meditation be practiced in times of joy and/or blessing?
 
Three questions:

1) Will you cite two of them and offer personal commentary on them specifically pertaining to the point of the op?

2) Are there no other texts informing this op? I would suggest, for example the psalms are a very rich, diverse, and obvious example of mediation available to us for both their content and their precedent. I would also suggest that many of the people in the Bible meditated following their experience with God, even if not recorded as such. I cannot imagine Abraham didn't meditate on his dream, or the fact he wandered for a decade or more wondering what was expected of him, or that Moses didn't meditate similarly on his walk back home from the burning bush, or that a ginormous but sudden meditation/contemplation occurred in the brief period of time between the nets tearing a Peter asking Jesus to leave (indicating mediation can be brief and still be powerful). Are there no other passages besides the passion of Christ?

3) While I completely agree with you citing the passion, the passion is an example of mediation amidst intense suffering. Can't meditation be practiced in times of joy and/or blessing?
Everyday yes

Isa 53
Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the Lordrevealed?

2 For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him.

3 He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

4 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.

5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.

8 He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken.

9 And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.

10 Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hand.

11 He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.
 
The agony in the garden:

(Jesus takes all our sins upon Himself and sheds His blood)

The scourging at the pillar:
By His stripes we are healed. Isa 53

(Our sins of impurity, sins against the 6th commandment)

The crowning with thorns.

(Our sins of pride, impure thoughts, sins against charity)

The carrying of the cross.

(wounded knee’s and shoulder falling beneath the holy cross)

Jesus dies on the cross.

(For all the sins of the world)
Lamb of God Jn 1:29

Thanks
 
Matt 26:38 Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me.

39 And he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.

41 Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.

42 He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done.

67 Then did they spit in his face, and buffeted him; and others smote him with the palms of their hands,

68 Saying, Prophesy unto us, thou Christ, Who is he that smote thee?

Matt 27: 28 And they stripped him, and put on him a scarlet robe.

29 And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand: and they bowed the knee before him, and mocked him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews!

30 And they spit upon him, and took the reed, and smote him on the head.

31 And after that they had mocked him, they took the robe off from him, and put his own raiment on him, and led him away to crucify him.

32 And as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name: him they compelled to bear his cross.

33 And when they were come unto a place called Golgotha, that is to say, a place of a skull,

34 They gave him vinegar to drink mingled with gall: and when he had tasted thereof, he would not drink.

35 And they crucified him, and parted his garments, casting lots: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, They parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture did they cast lots.

36 And sitting down they watched him there;

37 And set up over his head his accusation written, This Is Jesus The King Of The Jews.

50 Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost.
 
Three questions:

1) Will you cite two of them and offer personal commentary on them specifically pertaining to the point of the op?
Everyday yes

[Isa 53:1-11]
[Select verses from Matt 26:38-68 and Matt. 27:28-50]
I do not see any personal commentary.
The agony in the garden:

(Jesus takes all our sins upon Himself and sheds His blood)
What garden? Do you mean Gethsemane? If so, then Jesus did not take upon himself our sins in Gethsemane. If you mean Gethsemane, then why do you think Jesus was in agony (none of the other soon-ensuing events had occurred)?
 
I do not see any personal commentary.

What garden? Do you mean Gethsemane? If so, then Jesus did not take upon himself our sins in Gethsemane. If you mean Gethsemane, then why do you think Jesus was in agony (none of the other soon-ensuing events had occurred)?
That’s where he spiritually took our sins upon himself

THY WILL BE DONE!

but what about the circumcision when he shed His blood?
 
That’s where he spiritually took our sins upon himself
Is that what this article says?
but what about the circumcision when he shed His blood?
What about it? How are women circumcised?
The agony in the garden:
I do not see any personal commentary.

What garden? Do you mean Gethsemane? If so, then Jesus did not take upon himself our sins in Gethsemane. If you mean Gethsemane, then why do you think Jesus was in agony (none of the other soon-ensuing events had occurred)?
Still waiting on an answer here. To what garden were you referring?
 
Gethsemane
Thanks.

Two questions:

1) How is Gethsemane part of the passion of Christ?

2) How did Jesus suffer in Gethsemane?


Please be specific. Please us scripture. Please explain and support any speculations with well-reasoned scripture.


And.... (for the record)

I'm still waiting on a response to scripture outside the passion of Christ that inform Christian meditation and whether or not meditation can occur in conditions of joy and/or blessing.
 
Thanks.

Two questions:

1) How is Gethsemane part of the passion of Christ?

2) How did Jesus suffer in Gethsemane?


Please be specific. Please us scripture. Please explain and support any speculations with well-reasoned scripture.


And.... (for the record)

I'm still waiting on a response to scripture outside the passion of Christ that inform Christian meditation and whether or not meditation can occur in conditions of joy and/or blessing.
Yes you can meditate on the birth of the savior for example

See #7
 
Mk 15:32 And they came to a place which was named Gethsemane: and he saith to his disciples, Sit ye here, while I shall pray.

33 And he taketh with him Peter and James and John, and began to be sore amazed, and to be very heavy;

34 And saith unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful unto death: tarry ye here, and watch.

35 And he went forward a little, and fell on the ground, and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him.

36 And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt.

37 And he cometh, and findeth them sleeping, and saith unto Peter, Simon, sleepest thou? couldest not thou watch one hour?

38 Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak.

39 And again he went away, and prayed, and spake the same words.

Mk 15:
15 And so Pilate, willing to content the people, released Barabbas unto them, and delivered Jesus, when he had scourged him, to be crucified.

16 And the soldiers led him away into the hall, called Praetorium; and they call together the whole band.

17 And they clothed him with purple, and platted a crown of thorns, and put it about his head,

18 And began to salute him, Hail, King of the Jews!

19 And they smote him on the head with a reed, and did spit upon him, and bowing their knees worshipped him.

20 And when they had mocked him, they took off the purple from him, and put his own clothes on him, and led him out to crucify him.

21 And they compel one Simon a Cyrenian, who passed by, coming out of the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to bear his cross.

22 And they bring him unto the place Golgotha, which is, being interpreted, The place of a skull.

23 And they gave him to drink wine mingled with myrrh: but he received it not.

24 And when they had crucified him, they parted his garments, casting lots upon them, what every man should take.

25 And it was the third hour, and they crucified him.

26 And the superscription of his accusation was written over, The King Of The Jews.

36 And one ran and filled a spunge full of vinegar, and put it on a reed, and gave him to drink, saying, Let alone; let us see whether Elias will come to take him down.

37 And Jesus cried with a loud voice, and gave up the ghost.
 
  1. Zechariah 12:10
    And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn.
  2. John 19:37
    And again another scripture saith, They shall look on him whom they pierced.
 
Yes you can meditate on the birth of the savior for example

See #7
The scriptures quoted in Post #7 did not happen in Gethsemane. The questions asked are,

1) How is Gethsemane part of the passion of Christ?

2) How did Jesus suffer in Gethsemane?


Please be specific. Please us scripture. Please explain and support any speculations with well-reasoned scripture.
 
Matt 26:38 Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me.

39 And he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.

41 Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.

42 He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done.

Mk 15:32 And they came to a place which was named Gethsemane: and he saith to his disciples, Sit ye here, while I shall pray.

33 And he taketh with him Peter and James and John, and began to be sore amazed, and to be very heavy;

34 And saith unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful unto death: tarry ye here, and watch.

35 And he went forward a little, and fell on the ground, and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him.

36 And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt.

37 And he cometh, and findeth them sleeping, and saith unto Peter, Simon, sleepest thou? couldest not thou watch one hour?

38 Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak.

39 And again he went away, and prayed, and spake the same words.

This part is

He suffered interiorly
Consented to our salvation
Shedding His blood

My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death:

Thanks
 
Back
Top