January 15 Daily Devotional

Monthly Theme:

The theme of the month is spiritual war. Jesus won the battle not by might but by obedience. He is the source of salvation for all who obey him. When we have stood the test, we will share Christ's glory.

Bible Reading:

Matthew 27:32–46

Bible Text:

"Let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him" (Matt. 27:42).

Devotional:

They murdered Jesus by nailing him to a cross. And they showed no pity while his body was racked with pain. The soldiers sat gambling near the place of execution. People who passed by hurled insults at the dying Man. The Jewish leaders shouted cruel remarks. So did the criminals who were crucified with him. Humanity's hatred surrounded the cross.

In this chorus of voices, the screeching refrain was written by the devil himself. "Come down from the cross! Come down from the cross! We will believe your claims if you come down from the cross!"

This was Christ's last temptation, and it was remarkably like his first. The devil attempted to move Jesus from the road of obedience. He tried it first when he tempted Jesus in the wilderness: "If you are the Son of God, you shouldn't have to suffer. Make bread out of stones. Let the angels carry you." And here he shouts through mouths of theologians and criminals: "If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross. Come down from the cross!"

The cross of Jesus ruins the reign of the devil. It proves God's love, Christ's obedience, and grace for sinners. The world was lost by Adam's disobedience. It was saved by the obedience of Jesus, whose love for us kept him on the cross until he could say, "It is finished."

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.