What Jesus Did! 'God Sent His Son!' — John 3:17

Tuesday, February 17, 2026

[Continuing his talk with Nicodemus, Jesus said,] "God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him."
— John 3:17 NLT

Key Thought

The world stands in the shadow of destruction. Were it not for God's love for us in Jesus, we would face the same end as the world. God, however, is the Creator, the Life-Giver, and the Joy-Bringer. The goal of his holiness is not our destruction, but our redemption. The goal of his righteousness is not anger, but salvation. Jesus came to our world, a world headed for destruction, and placed God's stamp of grace on it. He came to reverse the powers of decay, death, and destruction and put permanence, life, and salvation in their place. Jesus is God's great reminder to us that God not only loves us but that he also has only good and glorious intentions for our lives and our eternal futures.

Today's Prayer

O God, redeem my view of you and your intentions for me, just as you have redeemed my soul from sin. I confess that my view of you is so limited and earthbound. Through your Holy Spirit, fill my heart with an accurate, glorious, and gracious understanding of your intentions for my life. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

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61 Related Resources by Heartlight

John 3:17
Devo: Today's Verse
"For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him."
John 3:17
Devo: Today's Verse
"For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him."
John 3:17
Devo: Today's Verse
"God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him."
Jesus Saves...
Illustration of John 3:17
Christian e card of John 3:17 - For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through him might be saved.
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Illustration

Illustration of John 3:17 NLT — [Continuing his talk with Nicodemus, Jesus said,] "God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him."

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About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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