The Daily + Midweek Updates
Good morning, Immanuel. Catch up on the Daily and on the latest midweek updates.
“Jesus wept” (John 11:35).
One of the most comforting verses in the Bible to me is also the shortest verse. It says simply, “Jesus wept.”
This is so comforting because it shows that Jesus understands grief and pain. He wept at the death of his dear friend, Lazarus. He wept at the pain and sorrow it caused Mary and Martha, Lazarus’s sisters. He wept because he hated the evil of death. Jesus felt deeply, and that means He understands and is with us in our deepest, most challenging moments.
But it’s also comforting because of what it doesn’t mean. When we weep at a loss, it’s because we couldn’t change or fix it. We feel helpless, at wit’s end. But that isn’t the case for Jesus. Yes, he wept at the death of a dear friend. But shortly before that moment, He declared, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live.”
So Jesus already promised that He would overcome death and that all who trust in Him would live forever with Him. His weeping wasn’t from helplessness. He wasn’t at wit’s end. He wasn’t grasping for answers. He is the answer to pain and sorrow and loss and helplessness.
This means we have a savior who not only understands our sorrows and shares them with us but also one who has promised to overcome them and set things right in the end. Let’s cling to Jesus as the resurrection and the life today.
CELEBRATING SUNDAY…
Sunday Worship: This past Sunday, Pastor TJ continued our series in Revelation. You can check it out here!
ON THE HORIZON…
No Wed. Night Gathering: We are taking a break and will meet again mid-August!
Discover Luncheon: Are you new to Immanuel? Join us on July 7th at noon in the cafe for our Discover Luncheon! Learn more about Immanuel and how you can connect. RSVP here. We look forward to seeing you there.
Bake Sale: So many encouraging things have been happening with our Tenth Generation push. Even our youngest kids are getting in on this!
Join us for the iKids Tenth Generation Bake Sale on Sunday, July 7th! All contributions going toward our Tenth Generation Prayer. Every small effort counts (Mark 12:41-44). Sign your children up today and support our young bakers!