March 8 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 9:1–12

Bible Text:

So the man went and washed, and came home seeing (John 9:7).

Devotional:

The blind man had never seen the light of day, the face of his mother, or the shape of a tree. He was now a beggar. Daily he sat in his regular spot. To all who passed, he was an invitation for theological discussion (What sin caused such a disaster?) and an opportunity to please God by giving alms.

All of this changed the day Jesus stopped in front of him. Of course, the man could not see Jesus. That's probably why Jesus touched him, putting a paste of dirt and saliva on his sightless eyes. The man felt as if he were being marked and anointed.

The voice of the Stranger said, "Go, wash in the Pool of Siloam." The man did, and there his eyes were healed. He saw his own reflection in the water! He sensed the greatness of the God who had visited him, and joy overwhelmed him.

This story of healing has three lessons. First, it demonstrates God's compassion. By showing his love and power to the suffering, Christ assures all who suffer imperfections in this broken world that healing is on the way.

Second, this miracle is proof that the age of the Messiah has come. For Isaiah had prophesied, "Then will the eyes of the blind be opened" (Isa. 35:5). Jesus is the Messiah.

Third, we learn that, unless Jesus is our light, we stumble like blind people in a strange environment.

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.