The gospel in miniature - All The Good Seed Daily Devotionals for 2026

God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life.
John 3: 16.

The gospel in miniature
The title above is Martin Luther's description of today's verse of Scripture. Those few words summarise what God has done with the reason for and the objective of His action. They express a great, divine truth: our great God's love towards His creatures; His only begotten Son - a great gift; whoever - a great appeal; should not perish - a great deliverance; everlasting life - a great inheritance.

The Word of God is living and effective: a single sentence has been the means of salvation for a multitude of people. The word "whoever" has been a revelation for many. It means you and me; no-one is excluded. No sinner is too guilty to be saved; that is the measure of God's grace. Anyone can accept it for himself and say: . The selfsame work would have been necessary, even if I had been the only one needing salvation.

Doesn't this fact affect our hearts? Each of us can say that Jesus suffered, died, and was raised again to life for him or for her. In His infinite love and for His own joy God wishes to grant us eternal happiness. To fulfil this wonderful objective He allowed the punishment that we deserved to come upon His own well beloved Son. Now whoever believes in Him is forgiven, cleansed and has access to His very presence, and that for eternity.

Today‘s reading: Numbers 17: 16 - 28 · Matthew 11: 20 - 30