Charles Spurgeon's "Morning & Evening" Devotional: September 12th

 Charles Spurgeon's "Morning & Evening" Devotional: September 12th

Morning

“Before Abraham was, I am.”

John 8:31-59

Our Lord pleaded with the Jewish people and set the truth clearly before them, but they cavilled at him and rejected him. Of this we have an instance in John 8:31-59.

John 8:31 , John 8:32

The contentious party among the Jews here interrupted him, boastfully extolling themselves as freemen. They were under the dominion of the Romans, and yet gloried in never having been in bondage.

John 8:48

When they cannot argue, men usually take to railing. A bad case when hard pushed is very apt to employ abuse as its defence.

John 8:57

The sorrows of our Lord made him appear to be nearly fifty, though he was only a little over thirty.

John 8:58

Thus did he declare his Godhead and eternal existence, but they would not believe in him.

Evening

“The eyes of the blind shall see.”

John 9:1-23

John 9:3

that is to say, neither his own sin nor that of his parents is the cause of his blindness

John 9:7

Means lucre used, but they were such as had no efficacy of their own, and would tend rather to impede than assist. Often docs the Lord use the most unlikely instrumentalities.

John 9:9

He was a plain blunt man of unusually sound sense. He ended the controversy by two words of the most positive kind ”I am.”

John 9:11

His statement was as clear as it could be, and as brief as possible.

John 9:13 , John 9:14

And so the old quarrel was revived, and fresh ground found for opposing the Lord Jesus.

John 9:15

Here is not a word to spare, yet the statement is full and accurate.

John 9:17

So much he felt sure of, and was not ashamed to declare. When he knew more, he was equally definite and decided. If the Lord hath given us our spiritual sight, it will be a happy circumstance if we are just as positive and outspoken as this remarkable man. The cause of God needs many champions just now who will speak out whether they offend or please. The Lord make us such.

Yes, the Lord has healed my blindness,

Pitying my infirmity.

Trophy of his lovingkindness,

I was blind, but now I see!

Oh that all the blind but knew him,

And would be advised by me;

Surely they would hasten to him,

He would cause them all to see.

Study FurtherRelated passages, insights, and questions for personal reflection.

Take today’s devotional further. Explore related Scriptures and open any verse in the Study Desk for deeper study.

    Exodus 3:14: And God said to Moses, "I AM WHO I AM"; and He said, "This is what you shall say to the sons of Israel: 'I AM has sent me to you.'"
    God's 'I AM' name Jesus claimed before Abraham.
    ↳ How does knowing Jesus is the eternal 'I AM' shape your worship?
    Isaiah 42:7: To open blind eyes, To bring out prisoners from the dungeon And those who dwell in darkness from the prison.
    Messiah opens blind eyes, fulfilling healing prophecy.
    ↳ Where in your life do you need Christ to bring sight?
    Colossians 1:17: He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.
    Christ exists before all things, affirming eternal preexistence.
    ↳ How does trusting Christ holds everything together calm your anxieties today?
    Romans 10:10: for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.
    Confessing Christ boldly mirrors the healed man's testimony.
    ↳ When did you last openly confess your faith to someone?
    1 John 1:9: If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous, so that He will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
    Truth sets free, echoing freedom Jesus promised believers.
    ↳ What sin are you holding back from confessing to God?

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This resource was produced before 1923 and therefore is considered in the "Public Domain".