Flashbulb Memories - All Our Daily Bread Daily Devotionals for 2026

Bible in a Year : Jeremiah 50, Hebrews 8

The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord.
John 20:20

Today's Scripture & Insight : John 20:18-20, 30-31

Early winter 1941. The Sunday service had just concluded. As their father lingered at the little north-country church, my dad and his siblings walked the short distance home. When their father came up the snowy hill to the farmhouse, he was crying. He’d just learned Pearl Harbor had been bombed. His sons—my dad included—would be going to war. Dad always recalled the moment in vivid detail.

Researchers call such events “flashbulb memories”—moments seared into our minds. Think of 9/11, or the day you lost someone close. Think too of your most joyous experience.

Imagine the flashbulb memories of Jesus’ disciples. They witnessed miracle after miracle. Suddenly catastrophe struck. The Son of God was arrested and crucified. But then, resurrection! Mary Magdalene hurried to tell the disciples, “I have seen the Lord!” (John 20:18). Still, the disciples hid in fear. They didn’t believe the news (Luke 24:11), not until “Jesus came and stood among them” (John 20:19). Then, “The disciples were overjoyed” (v. 20).

John recorded some of those moments, saying, “These are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name” (v. 31). “Flashbulb memories” with eternal significance.

By: Tim Gustafson

Reflect & Pray
What flashbulb memories do you have? How would you describe your biggest spiritual decision and what it means?

Dear Father, thank You for being with us in all our moments, big and small, and for the biggest event in history—the resurrection of Your Son.