March 22 Daily Devotional

Monthly Theme:

In March we read the gospel of John. John wrote his gospel so that his readers would know and believe the claims of Jesus. Those who do have everlasting life here and now.

Bible Reading:

John 18:1–11

Bible Text:

"I told you that I am he," Jesus answered. "If you are lookinbg for me, then let these men go" (John 18:8).

Devotional:

They came to arrest him as if he were a criminal. But when they were about to lay their hands on him, Jesus was awesome. He presented himself as Jehovah God in the flesh.

"I am he," Jesus told the soldiers. This may sound like an ordinary self-identification. But in Jesus' mouth the words "I am" echo the name of God in the Old Testament. God revealed himself to Moses as "I AM who I AM" (Ex. 3:14). Previously Jesus had made other "I am" statements: "Before Abraham was born, I am!" (John 8:58), "I am the good shepherd" (John 10:11), "I am the way" (John 14:6), "I am the resurrection and the life" (John 11:25). Now he adds, "I am he.... Let these men go."

When Moses stood at the burning bush and heard the voice of "I AM," he took off his shoes and hid his face in fear. When this crowd came to the grove of olives to seize Jesus, the presence of God's power threw them to the ground. And yet they rushed in for the kill where angels bow down in worship.

How did these people dare get up from the ground to arrest Jesus? Ultimately, I suppose, it was because God had decided this was the hour in which evil would be allowed to do violence to Jesus.

"If you are looking for me, then let these men go." In these words we hear another reason why God permitted Jesus' arrest: He must die for the salvation of his chosen ones.

Andrew Kuyvenhoven's Daylight, a modern devotional classic, was originally published in 1994. This edition is copyright by Faith Alive Christian Resources, from whom may be ordered Daylight, the predecessor of Twilight.

A man of many accomplishments, Andrew Kuyvenhoven is probably best known for his contributions to Today (formerly The Family Altar), a widely-used monthly devotional booklet associated with the Back to God Hour. Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations for this edition of Twilight are from the New International Version

Be sure to read the "Preface" and the "Acknowledgments" by the author.