March 25 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 19:23–27

Bible Text:

He said to his mother, "Dear woman, here is your son" (John 19:26).

Devotional:

Years ago a young couple left the congregation I was serving to join a commune. The commune's members owned a farm and some houses. Under the leadership of a teacher who had a tremendous hold on the group, the members regarded themselves as God's special people and thought everyone else was living in darkness.

When this young couple had a baby, the woman's parents (who were members of my congregation) were not allowed to see their grandchild. The leader of the commune taught that unless the couple hated their parents, they could not be disciples of Jesus. This was the self-appointed prophet's corrupt explanation of Luke 14:26.

Such malicious abuse of the Bible not only causes pain and tears but also insults Jesus Christ. For when he was hanging on the cross, Jesus spoke to his mother with his last and labored breath. Lovingly, our Lord provided a supporting son for his own mother.

Paul taught that those who do not care for their immediate family deny the faith and are worse than unbelievers (l Tim. 5:8). Charity begins at home. If I love all the children in the world but fail my own, I am a failure. If I love the whole church but neglect my mother or spouse, my Christian influence is nil.

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.