Sometimes there are big things that come in small packages, whether we’re talking about a seed, a computer chip, or an engagement ring. The size of the item does not necessarily match the power each item holds or conveys.
We likely already know this is true in our faith life with God in a variety of ways. Yet perhaps nowhere is this more intriguing than in the shortest verse in our English Bible: “Jesus wept” (John 11:35).1 Here, the Savior of the world, God in the flesh, sheds tears before the tomb of His dear friend, Lazarus, as Martha and Mary (Lazarus’ sisters) and a crowd look on.
What do the tears of Jesus tell us? That is what we want to explore this year in our journey of Lent at Eastbrook. Lent traces Jesus’ journey to the Cross, providing an opportunity for us as followers of Jesus to give focused attention to Jesus’ crucifixion and what that means for us in all its multifaceted glory. The few moments recorded in Scripture where Jesus weeps fall like tears along Jesus’ journey toward the Cross. Each time, Jesus weeps for different reasons, bringing us a new angle on who Jesus is and the heart of God.
This Lent we will explore the tears of Jesus as a pathway to encountering God. At Lazarus’ tomb, Jesus offers tears of compassion over loss for His dear friends Mary and Martha and tears of frustration over death not being the way it is supposed to be. As Jesus nears and then enters Jerusalem, Jesus offers tears of mercy for the people to be brought back to God, followed by tears of anger in relation to the religious leaders who miss the point of who He is. In the Garden of Gethsemane before His arrest, we see both tears of anguish over the intensity of the struggle and tears of trust in which Jesus commends Himself into the Father’s hands.
Through Jesus’ tears we find a fresh vision of God, and in this fresh vision of God we bring our own range of tears to God as part of our discipleship.
This forty-day journey of Lent offers an opportunity for us to give focused attention to Jesus, seeing in His life, death, and resurrection the unique, one-of-a-kind Messiah given for us who is simultaneously our Holy God. We focus on Jesus and also give attention to how we might intentionally grow with God through Christ. This Lenten devotional guide written by people within the Eastbrook Church family aims to help us draw near to Jesus Christ. I pray this journey together as a church draws us into a transforming encounter with Jesus—His life, His death, His resurrection, and His ascension.
Pastor Matt Erickson
1. All Scripture quotations are taken from the New International Version (NIV) unless otherwise noted. The Holy Bible, New International Version. Grand Rapids: Zondervan House, 2011.
How to Use This Devotional:
- Each week of this devotional begins with a Sunday reading written by our preaching team for older students and adults, and includes additional discussion questions for use in Small Groups.
- Each day Monday-Friday has a short devotional thought written by one of our Eastbrookers with questions at the end for deeper reflection.
- On Saturdays, there is a page that will guide you through a different spiritual practice or discipline for the week.
- Families with younger children may want to reference the weekly lessons our NextGen team has prepared, called “Family Talk,” with additional lessons for Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.
- Finally, you can also interact with the digital version of this devotional in a variety of ways: on the Eastbrook App, Instagram, daily emails, blog, or PDF. Find these options and links on our website at eastbrook.org/devotionals.