Have you ever heard of or seen an ancient tear jar?

Stories of tear jars—or lachrymatories—appear often in middle eastern history. In Roman times, women would fill these small glass jars with their tears and place them in tombs as symbols of love and mourning for their deceased loved one. A wife in antiquity might use such a jar to collect her tears of grief and longing for a husband who was away at war. Then, upon his return, she would present the jar to him as a tangible symbol of her unfailing love and devotion.

It’s no wonder this custom developed. Look at Psalm 56:8 in which David prays to God, “You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book.” You might say the Creator of the Universe first patterned this act of devotion and eternal love for us.

In April 2019, I had the immense blessing of making a pilgrimage to Israel with 38 other wonderful sisters in Christ. Kristi McLelland, a truly gifted Bible teacher who I’ve sat under for the past two plus years, led us on this journey. And oh, what an incredible experience it was to walk where Jesus and our spiritual ancestors walked.

Bringing back lots of souvenirs from travels isn’t my thing. But there were two items I really did want to bring back with me from Israel. A replica of an original tear jar and a widow’s mite. I’m happy to say I was able to bring back both—and I treasure them!

When a sweet friend (waving to you, Rebekah Joy!) returned to Israel with Kristi last fall, I asked her to please bring back two more tear jars—so that I could give them away in February’s giveaway for my reader friends!

Here are the two tear jars she brought back with her from Jerusalem (handcrafted there, of course) and that I’m giving away this month!

Aren’t they gorgeous? They look very similar to the one I brought back from the Christian Quarter of the Old City in Jerusalem.

Another 2019 highlight for me was attending LifeWay’s filming of Kristi’s new video Bible study series! Do you notice anything familiar on the cover? : )

In this new video series releasing in March, Kristi provides amazing cultural and spiritual insight into several key women in the New Testament who encountered Christ. Among them, the woman recorded in Luke 7 who anoints Jesus’ feet with expensive perfume (and her tears), and who then wipes his feet with her unbound hair (scandalous in Biblical times!).

About Jesus & Women video series featuring Kristi McLelland:
Imagine walking the dusty roads of Galilee with Jesus of Nazareth—braving jostling crowds just to touch the edge of His cloak and hear Him say, “Take heart, daughter, your faith has healed you.”
 
Those words, once meant to comfort a hurting woman’s soul thousands of years ago, were also meant for you.
 
Join biblical culturalist Kristi McLelland on those dusty roads as she transports you back to Jesus’ world, following in the footsteps of the women who came face-to-face with the Living God. Over 7 sessions, examine the historical and cultural climate of first-century Middle Eastern society to not only understand Jesus more deeply but to fuel your worship of Him today.

I HIGHLY RECOMMEND this March 2020 video series to you and your women’s groups. It’s truly life changing! And if you’re interested in going to Israel with Kristi like Kelsey and I did (she takes coed groups all the time too), visit Kristi’s website New Lens Biblical Studies. A pilgrimage to the Holy Land opens up the Living Word like never before!

I hope you’ll enter to win one of two jars from Israel, too! And remember, God never wastes a hurt. He sees—and collects—every one of your tears. Even when we can’t see him, can’t feel his presence, he’s working for our eternal good and his life-giving glory.

Do you love ancient history? Have you ever heard of a tear jar before?

Blessings on your Tuesday!

Tamera

Thanks to the over 600 friends who entered January’s giveaway! And congrats to Deborah Jones and Beverly Calcote who each won an adorable bent spoon “I LIKE BIG BOOKS & I CANNOT LIE” bookmark that I purchased over Christmas while in Hilton Head, SC!