Illumination Station – VBS 2026
Introduction
This week it’s VBS week at our church. Each day our church is filled with children learning truths about who Jesus is. This week, for our devotional, I wanted to take the memory verses for each day and highlight where we see these same truths reflected in some of the songs we sing on a regular basis.
Day 1: Jesus Is God’s Promised Son
Verse of the Day: Matthew 16:16 “ Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
Jesus Messiah
“Jesus Messiah Name above all names
Blessed Redeemer Emmanuel
The Rescue for sinners
The Ransom from heaven
Jesus Messiah Lord of all”
Jesus is the promised Messiah, the One who came to save His people from their sins (Matthew 1:21)
Day 2: Jesus Is God’s Perfect Son
Verse of the Day: Mark 1:11 “And a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”’
What a Beautiful Name
“You have no rival
You have no equal
Now and forever God You reign
Yours is the kingdom
Yours is the glory
Yours is the Name above all names”
At the baptism of Christ, God publicly declares Jesus to be His beloved Son. Unlike every other person who has ever lived, Jesus lived a perfect and sinless life. Because He is God’s perfect Son, He truly has no rival and no equal.
Day 3: Jesus Is the Powerful Son of God
Verse of the Day: Matthew 28:18: “And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.”’
Majesty
“Majesty, kingdom authority
Flow from his throne unto his own;
His anthem raise.
So Exalt lift up on high the name of Jesus.
Magnify, come glorify Christ Jesus the King.”
The song “Majesty” reminds us of His kingdom authority and that He alone is worthy of our praise and exaltation.
1 Corinthians 15:28
“When all things are subjected to him, then the Son himself will also be subjected to him who put all things in subjection under him, that God may be all in all.”
Day 4: Jesus Is the Proven Son of God
Verse of the Day: Mark 15:39 “And when the centurion, who stood facing him, saw that in this way he breathed his last, he said, “Truly this man was the Son of God!”
Man of Sorrows
The entire song tells of the events of the crucifixion of Christ. But particularly a truth related to this verse is found in Verse 3.
“Sent of heaven God’s own Son
To purchase and redeem
And reconcile the very ones
Who nailed Him to that tree”
The Old Rugged Cross
“In the old rugged cross, Stained with blood so divine,
A wondrous attraction for me;
For ‘twas on that old cross Jesus suffered and Died
To Pardon and sanctify me”
The words “pardon” and “sanctify” remind us why Jesus went to the cross. The only way our sins could be forgiven and we could be made righteous before God was through the sacrifice of Christ.
2 Corinthians 5:21 “For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”
Day 5: Jesus Is God’s Plan for Forgiveness & Theme Verse
Verse of the Day: Acts 2:38 “And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Theme Verse: John 8:12: Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
This is Amazing Grace
“Who breaks the power of sin and darkness
Whose love is mighty and so much stronger
The King of Glory the King above all kings”
Open My Eyes, That I May See
“Open my eyes, that I may see Glimpses of truth Thou hast for me;
Place in my hand the wonderful key, that shall unclasp and set me free”
Jesus is the light that shines the way pointing us to forgiveness that is made possible due to His sacrifice on the cross.
Conclusion
What’s the point of all this?
I want us to remember that the songs we sing are not merely words set to music, and neither are the VBS songs! They proclaim truths about who God is, what He has done for us, and how we should respond to Him.
This Sunday, our service will feature many of the VBS songs the children have been singing throughout the week. One thing I’ve noticed over the years is that I often find myself walking around singing portions of a VBS song long after VBS has ended. However, rarely does it go deeper than that. Because I view them as “kids songs” I don’t make the effort to go beyond a catchy melody and allow the truth of the song to penetrate my heart.
As we worship together this Sunday—and in the days, months, and years ahead—may we allow the truths we sing to shape our hearts, strengthen our faith, and continually remind us of the God who saved us and the relationship we have with Him through Jesus Christ.