What Jesus Did! 'They Will Hear and Rise Again!' — John 5:28-29

Thursday, April 9, 2026

[Jesus continued,] "Don't be so surprised! Indeed, the time is coming when all the dead in their graves will hear the voice of God's Son, and they will rise again. Those who have done good will rise to experience eternal life, and those who have continued in evil will rise to experience judgment."
— John 5:28-29 NLT

Key Thought

Do you remember the voice of your mother or father calling you home? I do. Of course, my perception of that voice was greatly influenced by what I was doing and whether that was pleasing to my mother or father. For those of us who live for Christ, hearing the voice of our Savior and being raised from the dead will be glorious! His voice will be powerful, majestic, and exciting. However, for those who do not live for Jesus, who do what is evil and do not come to him for grace and salvation, his voice will be mighty and terrifying. Let's make sure that our love for the Lord ensures that whether we are alive or dead when he comes, the sound of his voice will thrill us with the anticipation of our eternal glory!

Today's Prayer

Father, shape my life into the character of your Son. Empower me toward holiness by your Holy Spirit as I seek to honor you with both my heart and my behavior. Forgive me for not being more passionate about my life being lived completely for your glory. Fill me with expectation as I await the sound of my Savior's voice at his glorious return. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

3 Related Resources by Heartlight

What Happens When You Die?
Article by Max Lucado
What Jesus' resurrection guarantees about our own. Max Lucado shares insights from the Bible about what happens to us when we die and what Jesus' resurrection means to our hope.
What Happens When You Die — a Post Easter Meditation
Article by Max Lucado
He silently slipped out. Exited. Departed. He passed, not away, but on. Yet, on to where? Max Lucado reminds us that Easter, Jesus' Resurrection Sunday, is not just about Jesus being raised, but our life beyond death!
Beyond the Sacred Page
Devo: A Year with Jesus
"Dear Beloved, The Bible is a precious treasure. Don't neglect it. Use it and ask the Holy Spirit to speak to you through it. Remember! It is a tool....."

Illustration

Illustration of John 5:28-29 NLT — "Don't be so surprised!"

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Thursday, April 9, 2026

Quotemeal
A daily dose of Christian quotes to inspire and encourage.
Quote by François de Sales:
"It is an abuse to confess any kind of sin, mortal or venial, without a will to be delivered from it, since confession was instituted for no other end."
A Year with Jesus
A devotional to help reclaim Jesus as the daily Lord of our lives.
'Can These Bones Live?'
"Dear Precious Believer, My resurrection was a surprise to everyone, including My closest followers. It was a glorious shock to their system in many....."
Praying with Paul
Features the apostle Paul's writings turned into daily, powerful prayers.
'Christ's Love Letter' (2 Co. 2:17-3:3)
"Dear Father, Thank you, Father, that I am not just a peddler of your word, but that I am commissioned by you and that I speak in Christ. Let everyone..."
Morning & Evening
The classic twice-daily devotional from Charles H. Spurgeon.
Evening Thought: Isaiah 43:24
"Worshippers at the temple were wont to bring presents of sweet perfumes to be burned upon the altar of God: but Israel, in the time of her..."

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.

More What Jesus Did!