What Jesus Did! 'Shine Like the Sun' — Matthew 13:40-43

Wednesday, July 2, 2025

[Jesus continued his explanation of the parable of the weeds:] "Just as the weeds are sorted out and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of the world. The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will remove from his Kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil. And the angels will throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine like the sun in their Father's Kingdom. Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand!"
— Matthew 13:40-43 NLT

Key Thought

While it is not popular in today's religious culture, Jesus does have a closing time, a time to settle accounts and judge us based on how we've lived our lives. What we do with our discipleship matters. Those who do not receive Jesus' message and do not live a life of righteousness, but instead choose to do evil and harm others, will be left outside his Kingdom and face eternal punishment. On the other hand, Jesus' disciples will be like the sun - not just any star, but like the brightest one we have ever seen. They will share in the glory of their Savior and live with him forever in eternal joy.

Today's Prayer

Father, help my light to shine so others will see your glory and grace. Help me invest myself in others to bring them to you so they can receive your grace and mercy. In my own life, I want to be wholly dedicated to you and live your righteousness! In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

1 Related Resource by Heartlight

Let Me Decide!
Devo: A Year with Jesus
"Dear Precious Disciple, Satan uses a very effective form of temptation on many of you who are My followers. He gets you to avoid looking at your own...."

Illustration

Illustration of Matthew 13:40-43 NLT — Then the righteous will shine like the sun in their Father's Kingdom.

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Wednesday, July 2, 2025

Today's Verse
A daily devotional featuring a Bible verse, thought and prayer.
Ephesians 6:12
"For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the..."
Praying with Paul
Features the apostle Paul's writings turned into daily, powerful prayers.
'Good Neighbors' (Ep. 4:25-28)
"Dear Father, worthy of my love and obedience, May the thought of deceit or falsehood never enter into my relations with my brothers and sisters in..."
Daily Wisdom
A daily devotional featuring wise counsel found in Scripture.
Revelation 1:3
"Blessed is the one who reads the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near."
Passion for Praise
A daily passage of Scripture emphasizing praise to our God.
'You are My God!' (Ps. 118:28)
"You are my God, and I will praise you! You are my God, and I will exalt you!"

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!