Eyes Wide Open: 40-Day Lenten Devotional Sample

ABOUT THIS DEVOTIONAL: A PREAMBLE

“See, my servant will act wisely; he will be raised and lifted up and highly exalted. Just as there were many who were appalled at him—his appearance was so disfigured beyond that of any human being and his form marred beyond human likeness—so he will sprinkle many nations, and kings will shut their mouths because of him. For what they were not told, they will see, and what they have not heard, they will understand.” – Isaiah 52:13-15

“But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.” – Isaiah 53:5

There is no better time during the church year or in modern-day culture to reflect upon the implications of Christ’s sacrifice at Calvary, and the ripple effects which have resulted, than now. If we look closely, we see the Kingdom of God moving, growing, pushing us closer to Jesus, and closer to those who need Him. 

The Lenten season ought to push us to place of discomfort so that we would love God and others better. Beyond a fleeting moment when the earth was shaken and the heavens opened, the death—and the sacrifice leading up to it—of Jesus carries with it a finality of our mission—to tell others of this work that changes everything.

Eyes Wide Open is a 40-day devotional intended to help all of us reimagine the implications of the sacrifice of Christ. The horrors of the cross are not meant for our sorrow; no, exactly the opposite. The conclusion of Isaiah 52:13-15 is our way forward: “For what they were not told, they will see, and what they have not heard, they will understand.” 

We come to the sacrifice of Christ eyes wide open to see the misery and pain so that we are compelled to walk alongside others so that their eyes would be wide open to the good news of Jesus as well! 

For this very misery and pain was for a singular purpose: our transgressions, our iniquities, alas…our healing! The healing of the world. The healing of the wounded, the lame, the isolated, the frightened, the wanderer, the desperate, the power-money hungry. All.

Eyes Wide Open is intended to help us reimagine how our own personal reflection on the sacrifice of Jesus Christ can inform, and even transform, our desire and passion to show and share this good news with a broken and hurting world. Each daily devotional includes a short reflection on the works of Christ and a prayer for applying this revelation to our gospel witness in the world today.