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

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

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."

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Monday, August 24, 2026

Quotemeal
A daily dose of Christian quotes to inspire and encourage.
Quote by John Irving:
"Without somehow destroying me in the process, how could God reveal himself in a way that would leave no room for doubt? If there were no room for doubt, there...."
A Year with Jesus
A devotional to help reclaim Jesus as the daily Lord of our lives.
'Resurrection Power'
"Dear Disciple, The apostle Paul prayed a meaningful and moving prayer for the Christians in Asia Minor. Here is part of his prayer:I pray that your....."
God's Holy Fire
A daily devotional about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
'The Spirit Gives Life' (Ro. 8:10)
"And Christ lives within you, so even though your body will die because of sin, the Spirit gives you life because you have been made right with God."
Unstoppable!
A one-year devotional guide through the book of Acts.
'God Uses Wounded Healers' (Acts 7:35-38)
"[Stephen reminded his adversaries of the kind of leader Moses was:] "So God sent back the same man his people had previously rejected when they..."

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!