Jesus Wept | Devotional Number One
Grieve Freely

Jonathan Grubbs • Associate Pastor
June 17, 2026

2 Minute Read

Jesus Wept #1


Dear Friend,

Over this past year, our Church by the Sea family

has carried a significant weight of loss.


This series originally went to Five People I identified, that turned into Seven ... then Ten, and now I’m just making it Public.


I launched this e-devotional, Jesus Wept, as a shared resource for those navigating the landscape of bereavement.

__

The Path Forward

This resource is designed to meet you exactly where you are:

The Individual: Some of you are already supplementing this e-devotional by meeting with me in person. Everyone should know: you are always welcome to schedule time to dive deeper into anything that resonates here.

You're also welcome to just read and reflect.

The Collective: While our losses are diverse, there is a shared heavy burden in grief.

It is my hope—perhaps a pastoral pipe dream—that as we move further down this road, we might eventually put faces to names and find strength in one another.

I’m thinking a shared meal and Q&A.

A little Light in the Shadow

Talking about grief is difficult, and I won't sugarcoat the reality of the ache.

However, the goal of Jesus Wept isn’t to be a bummer,

but to cast a little light into the shadows.

To talk about grief is to talk about life.

___

Here is what I want you to hold onto today:

Grief is not a task to be completed.

While that may sound daunting, it is actually a liberation.

It means we don't have to ‘get over it’.

Instead, we can learn to carry it better. We can refuse to let it consume or define us, and eventually, we can even allow it to be the soil in which we grow.

You are profoundly cared for. You are being held in prayer, specifically and deeply.

There are ways to tame your grief so it works for you, but there is no 'right way' to Grieve. So don't expect instructions or platitudes, just support.

Grieve your way, and never feel ashamed.

Whether your loss is fresh or you are approaching a difficult anniversary, know that you are not walking this path alone.

Keep an eye on your inbox in the coming days as we begin this guided journey through the hurt.


Question:

What's the hardest thing you're facing in your grief journey right now?

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June 17, 2026 • 2 Minute Read
Jesus Wept | Devotional Number One
Jesus Wept #1 Dear Friend, Over this past year, our Church by the Sea family has carried a significant weight of loss. This series originally went to Five People I identified, that turned into Seven ... then Ten, and now I’m just making it Public. I launched this e-devotional, Jesus Wept, as a shared resource for those navigating the landscape of bereavement. __ The Path Forward This resource is designed to meet you exactly where you are: The Individual: Some of you are already supplementing this e-devotional by meeting with me in person. Everyone should know: you are always welcome to schedule time to dive deeper into anything that resonates here. You're also welcome to just read and reflect. The Collective: While our losses are diverse, there is a shared heavy burden in grief. It is my hope—perhaps a pastoral pipe dream—that as we move further down this road, we might eventually put faces to names and find strength in one another. I’m thinking a shared meal and Q&A. A little Light in the Shadow Talking about grief is difficult, and I won't sugarcoat the reality of the ache. However, the goal of Jesus Wept isn’t to be a bummer, but to cast a little light into the shadows. To talk about grief is to talk about life. ___ Here is what I want you to hold onto today: Grief is not a task to be completed. While that may sound daunting, it is actually a liberation. It means we don't have to ‘get over it’. Instead, we can learn to carry it better. We can refuse to let it consume or define us, and eventually, we can even allow it to be the soil in which we grow. You are profoundly cared for. You are being held in prayer, specifically and deeply. There are ways to tame your grief so it works for you, but there is no 'right way' to Grieve. So don't expect instructions or platitudes, just support. Grieve your way, and never feel ashamed. Whether your loss is fresh or you are approaching a difficult anniversary, know that you are not walking this path alone. Keep an eye on your inbox in the coming days as we begin this guided journey through the hurt. Question: What's the hardest thing you're facing in your grief journey right now?

Jonathan Grubbs

Associate Pastor