Morning & Evening – June 24 | Spurgeon Devotional

Morning

Scripture

As he said these things, a woman in the crowd raised her voice and said to him, “Blessed is the womb that bore you, and the breasts at which you nursed!” But he said, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!”

— Luke 11:27, 28 (ESV)

Devotional

It is fondly imagined by some that it must have involved very special privileges to have been the mother of our Lord, because they supposed that she had the benefit of looking into his very heart in a way in which we cannot hope to do. There may be an appearance of plausibility in the supposition, but not much. We do not know that Mary knew more than others; what she did know she did well to lay up in her heart; but she does not appear from anything we read in the Evangelists to have been a better-instructed believer than any other of Christ’s disciples. All that she knew we also may discover. Do you wonder that we should say so? Here is a text to prove it: “The secret of the Lord is with them that fear him, and he will show them his covenant.” Remember the Master’s words—“Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his Lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.” So blessedly does this Divine Revealer of secrets tell us his heart, that he keepeth back nothing which is profitable to us; his own assurance is, “If it were not so, I would have told you.” Doth he not this day manifest himself unto us as he doth not unto the world? It is even so; and therefore we will not ignorantly cry out, “Blessed is the womb that bare thee,” but we will intelligently bless God that, having heard the Word and kept it, we have first of all as true a communion with the Saviour as the Virgin had, and in the second place as true an acquaintance with the secrets of his heart as she can be supposed to have obtained. Happy soul to be thus privileged!

Reflection

Spurgeon corrects the common assumption that Mary had special insider knowledge of Jesus. The real privilege is not biological relationship but hearing and keeping the Word of God. This is available to every believer. The “secret of the Lord” is with those who fear Him, and Jesus calls His disciples friends to whom He makes known all that the Father has told Him. The blessing is not in being the physical mother of Jesus but in being a hearer and doer of the Word.

Goad

Am I seeking special spiritual privileges through proximity or heritage, or am I simply hearing the Word and keeping it? What would change if I pursued the blessing of obedience over the appearance of closeness?

Evening

Scripture

Then he said to them all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.”

— Luke 9:23-24 (ESV)

Devotional

Self-denial is a great matter. It is, however, a thing that is not very much in repute nowadays. People prefer to have their own way, and if they can get it they are quite willing to let others have theirs. But the Master’s words are very plain, and they are addressed to all. If we would follow Christ, we must deny ourselves. This is the first lesson in the school of Christ. It is a hard lesson, but it is a necessary one. The cross is not to be carried now and then, but daily. It is not a golden cross to be worn as an ornament, but a real cross to be carried as a burden. The way of the cross is the way of life. He that saves his life shall lose it, but he that loses his life for Christ’s sake shall save it. This is the great paradox of the Christian life. The more we give up for Christ, the more we gain. The more we die to self, the more we live to God.

Reflection

Spurgeon emphasizes that self-denial is not optional or occasional but daily. The cross is not ornamental but a real burden to be carried every day. The great paradox is that saving our life leads to losing it, while losing our life for Christ leads to saving it. This is the path of true discipleship.

Goad

Am I carrying the cross daily, or am I trying to save my life while following Christ? What would it look like to lose my life for His sake today?

Tie-In

The morning shows that the real blessing is hearing and keeping the Word, not special proximity. The evening shows that the real path of discipleship is daily self-denial and cross-bearing. Both point to a thorough, consistent Christianity that is not showy but obedient and self-sacrificing. This is the Milk that calls for daily faithfulness. For those ready for deeper tables, these themes point toward the doctrines of sanctification, discipleship, and the cost of following Christ. Resources on the site explore how hearing the Word and taking up the cross daily together shape a consistent Christian life.

Closing

Spurgeon’s classic text with AI-assisted reflection and formatting to maintain daily consistency and reach.

If these words have stirred something in your heart today, we invite you to sit with it. Share how God met you in the comments or reach out to us.

As we build out the deeper tables of Milk, Solid Food, and Meat for every stage of the journey, know that you are welcome here.

NewGrapes Ministries
Making disciples, not pew-fillers.
Soli Deo Gloria.