Daily Devotion

Tuesday, January 27, 2026  

Today's Scripture
John 5:19–29

Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing: for whatever he does, that the Son does likewise. For the Father loves the Son, and shows him all that he himself is doing; and greater works than these will he show him, that you may marvel. For as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son gives life to whom he will.

“The Father judges no one, but has given all judgment to the Son, that all may honor the Son, even as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him. Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears my word and believes him who sent me, has eternal life; he does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.

“Truly, truly, I say to you, the hour is coming, and now is, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live. For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself, and has given him authority to execute judgment, because he is the Son of man.

“Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice and come forth, those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of judgment.” (NKJV)

Did your parents have different ways of explaining things? Mine did, even though both had high standards. But my mother taught home economics (cooking and sewing) before adding child development, and my father taught chemistry for a short time before switching to physics. So each had different explanations and different ways of trying to make sure I understood what was to be done (Mom) and how something should end (Dad).

Asking, “How’s that work?” would have two possible answers: “Look it up!” and “Let me show you.” Sometimes I think the Bible is a combination of those answers, a sort of “Find out how I showed the others earlier.”

I find this passage difficult — “Do not marvel?” Really? — but I’m working on it. After all, we don’t just have our Father’s explanations; we have our big brother’s demonstrations.

Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for sending Jesus as our model of how to follow you. As he explained, we can’t do it without him. Help us to remember that. In the name of Jesus. Amen. 

Written by Margaret Laing, Member of Fourth Presbyterian Church

Reflection and Prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church

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