What Jesus Did! 'Believe My Words and Deeds' — John 5:35-36

Monday, April 13, 2026

[Jesus said,] "John [the Baptizer] was like a burning and shining lamp, and you were excited for a while about his message. But I have a greater witness than John — my teachings and my miracles. The Father gave me these works to accomplish, and they prove that he sent me."
— John 5:35-36 NLT

Key Thought

How do you decide about Jesus? Is he just a good guy? Is he anything more than a great teacher? Jesus asks us to make a decision based on the witnesses to him, including his words and deeds. He asks us to listen to him. He invites us to examine his miracles. Then he challenges us to decide about him. Is he a blasphemer? Is he self-deluded? Or is he God's Son, the Messiah, and the Savior of the world? Of course, many of us made that decision long ago. Does that mean we should take that decision for granted? Of course not! Nothing builds our faith quite like spending time with Jesus in the Gospels. So why not rededicate some time this spring to reading through Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John? [1] Look to Jesus' great witnesses, his teachings and miracles, to build your faith.

[1] The total number of chapters in the four Gospels combined is 89, so even at just one chapter per day, it is possible to read all the Gospels in about three months.

Today's Prayer

Father, thank you for giving a powerful testimony to Jesus in the Gospels. Thank you for the unique way each of these Gospels presents the story of Jesus. Build my faith and strengthen my commitment as I seek to get to know Jesus even better by studying his words and his mighty deeds. I pray this confidently in his name. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

1 Related Resource by Heartlight

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 5:35-36 NLT — "John [the Baptizer] was like a burning and shining lamp, and you were excited for a while about his message."

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Monday, April 13, 2026

Quotemeal
A daily dose of Christian quotes to inspire and encourage.
Quote by Thomas à Kempis:
"For a small reward, a man will hurry away on a long journey; while for eternal life, many will hardly take a single step."
Spiritual Warfare
A daily devotional about God's power for our battles.
'Harassed by Satan?' (2 Co. 12:7)
"Because of the surpassing greatness and extraordinary nature of the revelations [which I received from God], for this reason, to keep me from thinking..."
Praying with Paul
Features the apostle Paul's writings turned into daily, powerful prayers.
'Building Up Each Other' (2 Co. 1:23-2:11)
"Dear Father, giver of great joy, I hope that in my effort to get others to live for you that I will never lord it over their faith. Help me work with..."
Morning & Evening
The classic twice-daily devotional from Charles H. Spurgeon.
Morning Thought: Psalms 17:7
"When we give our hearts with our alms, we give well, but we must often plead to a failure in this respect. Not so our Master and our Lord. His favours..."

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!