March 4 Daily Devotional

Bible Reading

Devotional

Only the demons and the devil could recognize the King of the world in the man Jesus. Sometimes ordinary people did recognize the Christ, but only if they received assistance from heaven. For example, Simeon in his old age knew by the Spirit that the baby in Mary's arms was the promised King (Luke 2:27). And the wise men from the East were led to Beth­lehem by God's direction (Matt. 2). Now Peter recognized Jesus. But it took more than "flesh and blood." The Father in heaven had told him.

Peter expressed the true dignity of Jesus in a statement that has become the model confession of the church of all ages: "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God."

Right after this climax, "Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must . . . suffer many things." Then all hell broke loose, for the devil also knows this secret about our King: that he will redeem his people by suffering.

Hell can break loose through the concern of a dear friend as well as through Herod's infanticide. This time Peter himself, the man of the great confession, is the devil's agent.

He says: "Never, Lord, never!" To Peter's mind, it is impossible that the King must suffer and the deliverer be oppressed. But Satan is speak­ing through Peter. The devil sees his kingdom totter, as he sees Christ preparing himself for obedience unto death.

Jesus says, "Behind me, Satan. Get out of my way. I want to deliver my people at any cost." No friend or foe is going to stop him on the road of obedience.

REFLECTIONS

Does the devil still use similar methods to tempt us off the road of obedience?

Andrew Kuyvenhoven's Daylight, a modern devotional classic, was originally published by Paideia Press in 1977. This updated edition is copyright 2009 by Faith Alive Christian Resources. You can order a copy of this revised version of the book directly from the publisher.

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 updated edition of Daylight are from the Holy Bible: Today's New International Version copyright 2001, 2005 by the International Bible Society.