What Jesus Did! 'A Seed until the Resurrection!' — John 12:14-16

Monday, August 24, 2026

[As the crowd with palm branches was praising Jesus, he] found a young donkey and rode on it, fulfilling the prophecy that said:
"Don't be afraid, people of Jerusalem.
Look, your King is coming,
riding on a donkey's colt."

His disciples didn't understand at the time that this was a fulfillment of prophecy. But after Jesus entered into his glory, they remembered what had happened and realized that these things had been written about him.

— John 12:14-16 NLT

Key Thought

Jesus must be regarded differently because of his resurrection. If Jesus wasn't raised from the dead, then our Christian walk has been a sad investment of faith, time, and hope. [1] Since Jesus was raised, our lives are full of hope and promise, no matter how we might be threatened physically. [2] We have the blessing of knowing how Jesus' story on earth ends - not with a cross and a tomb, but with a resurrected Savior! Once we truly grasp that crucial reality of the resurrection, everything is different, and we are more than conquerors through our peaceful Savior. [3]

[1] 1 Corinthians 15:17-19.
[2] 1 Corinthians 15:20-26.
[3] Romans 8:33-39 NIV.

Today's Prayer

Father, thank you that Jesus' victory at the cross and the empty tomb redeem me not only from death but also the fear of death! Never let me forget that you are the God who raises the dead and restores life to the lifeless. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

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Illustration

Illustration of John 12:14-16 NLT — "Don't be afraid, people of Jerusalem. Look, your King is coming, riding on a donkey's colt."

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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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