"The contemplation of beauty causes the soul to grow wings." ~ Plato 

The word "contemplate" appears 6 times in the Bible. 

In the Bible, “contemplate" generally means to engage in deep, reflective thought or meditation on God's Word, nature, and works. It's a spiritual discipline that encourages focused attention on divine truths and can involve silently pondering, praising, and recognizing God's presence. 

As we remember Holy Week, how many of us genuinely seek a deeper understanding, or do we just follow the celebratory customs without pondering the emotional and mental journey of Jesus?

Was He disappointed that the masses did not heed His teachings? Was He given a deadline? On Sunday, we celebrated Palm Sunday, commemorating the day He rode into Jerusalem on a donkey. I can't help thinking, there must have been a group of people who could have stood up for Him.

The days ahead are the most significant seven days in our history!

Did He not speak because He was introspectively preparing for the significant events that were to come? He knows all things; He knew He would be betrayed! 

He must have known that His death was imminent. Did He foresee the suffering that He would have to endure?  

Might it be possible that images of events that lay before Him could have been replaying in His mind repeatedly, a phenomenon known as rumination or intrusive thoughts, but in His heart and soul knew He had a higher purpose!!! Such a heartbreak struggle!  

He did not attempt to explain!!! He had no words!!! 

Now I ask you to reflect on what must have been going through His mind!!! Can we relate? After all, He had humbled Himself to share in the human experience. He felt emotion, He loved beyond understanding! He felt joy! He felt compassion! 

Did He ever have a moment of apprehension? Perhaps He was even frightened? 

For a moment, while He hung on the cross, He felt abandoned by everyone, including God the Father…That must have been the greatest pain His earthbound body had to endure!! 

What fueled His unrelenting strength to fulfill His mission with such impressive dignity and unwavering love? 

Only God, My Elohim! It's Him! Our beloved Savior! How could we not reflect His profound love with the same intensity and commitment?

It’s Him!  It will always be Him! There is no other… 

And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. 2 Corinthians 3:18 NIV

Photography & Written by Lori Garner

Sinners Prayer