2026.09.24 Hopewell @Home ▫ Mark 10:32–45

Read Mark 10:32–45

Questions from the Scripture text: Where were the disciples amazed to see Jesus going (Mark 10:32)? What had the leaders in Jerusalem been wanting to do to Jesus? How did the disciples feel as they followed? What does Jesus tell them will happen to Him in Mark 10:33-34? What do James and John want (Mark 10:35-37)? What does Jesus ask them if they are able to do in Mark 10:38? Who says that they will in fact do it in Mark 10:39? How do the ten respond in Mark 10:41? What does Jesus say that those who desire to become great should do in Mark 10:43? What does Jesus say that those who desire to be first should be in Mark 10:44? Who came to give His life a ransom for many (Mark 10:45)? What did He not come to do?

Why must we be willing to suffer, and to be servants and slaves of one another? Mark 10:32–45 looks forward to the hearing of God’s Word, publicly read, in the holy assembly on the coming Lord’s Day. In these fourteen verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that we should be willing to suffer and to serve others, because we follow a suffering, serving Savior. 

In this passage, we come to what is perhaps the theme verse of the entire book: “for even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”

It is, quite literally, amazing that the Lord Jesus would do this. In fact, amazement is how we start off the passage (Mark 10:32).

It’s kind of a strange scene. Jesus is out in front, heading for Jerusalem. The disciples are kind of hanging back, not sure what to make of it, “amazed” and “afraid.” The leaders in Jerusalem have been looking for a way to kill Jesus. But there He is, out walking in front of them, headed straight to His death. And He explains to them, that this is exactly what He is doing (Mark 10:33-34).

This time, it’s not Peter but rather James and John who correctly understand neither Christ nor themselves. Apparently, they had decided that Jesus was headed to Jerusalem to get glory. This seems to have been the only thing that seemed to make sense to them.

So, they run up ahead to catch up with Jesus, and ask if that can be a permanent arrangement (Mark 10:37). The problem is that Jesus isn’t going to Jerusalem to sit on a throne but to hang on a cross.

That’s basically Jesus’s point, when He asks about the cup and the baptism (Mark 10:38). The “sacrament” that is the sign and seal of His glory is His suffering and crucifixion!

“Yes,” Jesus says, “you will indeed suffer alongside me” (Mark 10:39). But, it won’t be this time around. On the cross, there are two thieves for whom that is reserved. James and John will have to wait until later to suffer. And when it comes to sitting in the kingdom, it will be a manifestation of triune glory into which no other man may enter (Mark 10:40, cf. Psalm 110:1; Mark 16:19; Romans 8:34; Ephesians 1:20; Colossians 3:1; Hebrews 1:3).

We serve a suffering Savior. He didn’t come to be served, but to give His life as a ransom (Mark 10:45). Let us not be surprised, since we walk with Him, if our lives include much suffering for His sake. Let us be eager for that sweet fellowship with Christ that comes not from being admired and catered to, but by being servants!

Who is Jesus? What has He done for you? How does He teach you to relate to others in the church? What opportunities do you have to be slave of all? What opportunities do you have to suffer for Christ?

Sample prayer:  Lord, forgive us for wanting crowns without crosses. Thank You for coming, not to be served, but to serve, and to give Your life a ransom for many. Grant unto us the humility to act as slave of all. Grant unto us such joy to have fellowship with You, that we would gladly suffer, as those who are having fellowship with a suffering Savior, for we ask it through Christ, AMEN!

Suggested songs: ARP32AB “What Blessedness” or TPH457 “Jesus, Thy Blood and Righteousness” 

Gaining Everything [Family Worship lesson in Mark 10:17–31]

Who is good enough to go to heaven? Mark 10:17–31 looks forward to the hearing of God’s Word, publicly read, in the holy assembly on the coming Lord’s Day. In these fifteen verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that Christ’s goodness is the only goodness good enough to bring us into the kingdom. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson) Summary of the transcript of the audio: This devotional examines the encounter between Jesus and the rich young ruler to distinguish between superficial religious effort and true saving faith. The central argument posits that the man’s failure stems not merely from his attachment to wealth, but from a fundamental misunderstanding of Jesus’ divinity and the depth of God’s law, which requires holiness of the heart rather than merely external compliance. The text contrasts the man’s sorrow over losing possessions with the Christian’s gratitude for gaining everything in Christ, challenging the common assumption that material prosperity or personal sacrifice constitutes spiritual merit. The message urges hearers to recognize their own spiritual poverty and rely entirely on the sufficiency of Christ. The tone is convicting yet pastoral, emphasizing that true salvation is found in knowing Jesus as Yahweh and resting in the grace that provides all spiritual riches.

2026.09.17 Hopewell @Home ▫ Mark 10:17–31

Read Mark 10:17–31

Questions from the Scripture text: Whom did the man in Mark 10:17 call “Good Teacher”? What does Jesus ask Him in Mark 10:18? What is Jesus’ answer, in Mark 10:19, for what to “do” to inherit eternal life? How long does the man say that he has done these things (Mark 10:20)? What does Jesus tell him is the one thing left to do in Mark 10:21? How does the man feel when he hears this, and what does he do (Mark 10:22)? Why is he so sad? What does Jesus say is hard (Mark 10:23)? What does Jesus say that people like this man trust in, in Mark 10:24? What does He say is easier than for a rich man to enter the kingdom (Mark 10:25)? What, then, do the disciples ask in Mark 10:26? With whom does Jesus say it is possible (Mark 10:27)? Whom does Peter think have done better than the rich man (Mark 10:28)? What does Jesus assure Peter, now in this time, about the things that he thought he had given up (Mark 10:29-30)? What else do we receive in this life? What do we receive in the age to come? What surprise does Jesus predict in Mark 10:31?

Who is good enough to go to heaven? Mark 10:17–31 looks forward to the hearing of God’s Word, publicly read, in the holy assembly on the coming Lord’s Day. In these fifteen verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that Christ’s goodness is the only goodness good enough to bring us into the kingdom. 

This passage presents two interesting examples of those who think that they can do something to inherit eternal life. The first is obvious: the man who thought he had kept all of God’s commandments from his childhood (Mark 10:20). But, he’s here asking Jesus (Mark 10:17), so it’s obvious that he knows that he is missing something. 

The great thing that he is missing is that Jesus is God (Mark 10:18), become a man, to save us from our sins. When Jesus said that “only God is good,” He was showing that the rich young man didn’t think that Jesus was God.

It’s interesting that the man does not seem so bothered by the instruction to “take up the cross” (Mark 10:21). Since Jesus had not yet been crucified, this seems like it would be the most startling command! Instead, the man is sad because of his many possessions (Mark 10:22). Oh, let us beware of how we fall in love with earthly things, comforts, and pleasures! Let us constantly be mindful of Christ’s surpassing value, that we would cling to Him so tightly that we hold only comparatively loosely any other thing!

Second, Peter makes a similar mistake. He thinks that he will be praised for having outdone the rich man (Mark 10:28). Jesus’s answer is that Peter really hasn’t lost anything; he has enriched himself 100 times over by clinging to Christ (Mark 10:30)!

Yes, there is one sense in which he has sacrificed. But the sacrifice itself is great gain. Even being persecuted is a privilege that is granted. Christianity is not “giving stuff up now to get stuff later.” Christianity is being 100 times more blessed now, and infinitely more in the next life!

To have Christ is to have every good thing. We do not do Him good. He does every good for us, and to us, and through us. He alone is good. Let us cling to Him!

What would it look like for you to be depending more on Christ’s goodness to you, and less upon your own?

Sample prayer:  Lord, forgive us for when we are like the rich young ruler: too high a view of our own goodness, which is to have too low a view of Christ’s goodness. And, forgive us for when we are like Peter: thinking that our sacrifices have been a loss to us, for which we hope to be repaid. Grant that we would see sacrificing for You as a privilege, to be counted among our hundred-fold blessings in this life. For we ask it through Christ, our goodness, AMEN!

Suggested songs: ARP32AB “What Blessedness” or TPH457 “Jesus, Thy Blood and Righteousness”

2026.09.10 Hopewell @Home ▫ Mark 10:1–16

Read Mark 10:1–16

Questions from the Scripture text: Where does Jesus go (Mark 10:1)? Who gathered to Him? What was He accustomed to do with them? What question do the Pharisees ask in Mark 10:2? With what question does Jesus answer in Mark 10:3? What is their answer (Mark 10:4)? What does Jesus say was the reason that Moses permitted this (Mark 10:5)? What does Jesus remind them that God did at the beginning of creation (Mark 10:6)? How had God created man? Of what else does Jesus remind them in Mark 10:7? How many does Jesus say become one flesh in Mark 10:8? Whom does Jesus say is the One who joins a man and his wife together (Mark 10:9)? Who ask Jesus about the same thing in Mark 10:10? What does Jesus say a man does, if he divorces his wife and then remarries (Mark 10:11, cf. Matthew 5:32)? What does Jesus say a woman does, if she does the same (Mark 10:12)? To whom do they then bring little children (Mark 10:13)? What do they want Jesus to do with the children? What do the disciples do to those who brought the children? When Jesus sees it, what does He think (Mark 10:14)? To whom does Jesus say that the kingdom belongs? And to whom are the children an example (Mark 10:15)? What does Jesus then do with the children (Mark 10:16)?

What does Jesus think of marriage and children? Mark 10:1–16 looks forward to the hearing of God’s Word, publicly read, in the holy assembly on the coming Lord’s Day. In these sixteen verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that Jesus views marriage as a covenant of God, and covenant children as subjects of the kingdom of God. 

In this passage, we read about two incidents in which the Lord Jesus affirms God’s valuing of marriage and children.

First, on the question of divorce, there are a couple interesting things about Christ’s answer.

There is a truth about the Mosaic civil code here (Mark 10:3-4)  that we could easily miss. God gave unto Israel laws that took into account the hardness of their hearts (Mark 10:5). If you look at the parallel in Matthew 5:32, you can see part of the “hardness of heart” Jesus is talking about. Divorce wouldn’t be necessary, but there are husbands and wives who commit adultery. 

Even more interesting is the theological foundation of Jesus’s teaching on divorce. He doesn’t take us to Genesis 2 first. Jesus takes us to the creation in Genesis 1. He takes us to God creating male and female in His own image (Mark 10:6). The implication is that marriage is about man being in the image of God, man being a covenanting creature of a covenanting Creator.

Only after establishing this first does Jesus take us to Genesis 2, where He twice repeats the math: 2 become 1 (Mark 10:8). This math wasn’t explicit in the text of Genesis 2, but it was obviously implied. Now, Jesus gives His authoritative explanation and application of the passage. Marriage is one man, and one woman, covenanted for life.

But there’s more! Who forms this covenant? Not just the man and the woman. The Lord is the One who joins them together (Mark 10:9). Marriage is the “covenant of our God” (cf. Proverbs 2:17). No wonder God hates divorce! The Scripture that tells us that also tells us one of God’s great purposes for marriage: to produce a godly seed, covenant children (cf. Malachi 2:14-16). 

Now, the Holy Spirit ties the two subjects together again in Mark 10. Look at how serious our Redeemer is about covenant children! He is greatly displeased (Mark 10:14) with the disciples for hindering the little children of these believing parents from coming to Him.

Our Lord doesn’t just love our children because they are ours. He loves our children because they are His. Jesus points out, in Mark 10:15, that children are often better examples of believers than adults. But this isn’t even His strongest statement about them.

In Mark 10:14, Jesus says “of such” is the kingdom. These little children are kingdom citizens in their own right. They have a right of access to the King! In the end, Jesus doesn’t just touch the children as was requested. He takes them up into His arms, and lays His hands upon them, and blesses them (Mark 10:16). How much our Lord loves marriage and children!

How does your daily and weekly schedule reflect Jesus’s priority upon marriage and children?

Sample prayer:  Lord, forgive us, for when we have had hard hearts, compounding one sin with another. It is dreadful that You would make peace for Israel by permitting a legal method of divorce. Forgive us, and cleanse us. Make us to treasure our own marriages and our own spouse. And strengthen us against the perversions of our generation against Your design of marriage as one man, and one woman, covenanted for life. Give us to love to give You Your own offspring, bringing to You, for Your own care, those of Your children whom You have entrusted to us. Forgive us for when we have hindered them, for this is greatly displeasing to You. Give us to treat them according to their rights as subjects to have access to their King. And make us to enter the kingdom like children as well. Thus, do with us not according to our sin, but according to Your grace, we ask through Christ, AMEN!

Suggested songs: ARP128 “How Blessed Are All Who Fear the Lord” or TPH548 “O Blest the House”

Are You Going to Hell? [Family Worship lesson in Mark 9:43–50]

What do those who are entering life do? Mark 9:43–50 looks forward to the hearing of God’s Word, publicly read, in the holy assembly on the coming Lord’s Day. In these eight verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that those who are entering life are in the business of putting sin to death. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson) Summary of the transcript of the audio: The devotional examines Mark 9:43-50 to explain the dual nature of God's fire as both purifying for believers and condemning for the unsaved. It emphasizes that mortifying sin is not a means to earn salvation but evidence of genuine faith and the presence of the Holy Spirit. Pastor clarifies that hell involves eternal conscious punishment, described through imagery of unquenchable fire and an undying worm, representing inner agony. True sanctification is presented as a work completed by Christ, assuring believers of their ultimate glorification despite present struggles. The message calls listeners to rely on the Spirit's power to fight sin and rest in the certainty of God's preserving grace.

2026.09.03 Hopewell @Home ▫ Mark 9:43–50

Thursday, September 3, 2026 ▫ Read Mark 9:43–50

Questions from the Scripture text: What should you do with even a hand that “caused” you to sin (v43)? Where is it better to go without a hand, rather than to go into hell? What never happens to the fire in hell? What never happens to their worm in hell (v44)? What should you do with even a foot that “caused” you to sin (v45)? Where is it better to go without a foot, rather than to go into hell? What never happens to the fire in hell? What never happens to their worm in hell (v46)? Where is it better to go with just one eye, rather than to be cast into hell fire (v47)? What never happens to their worm in hell (v48)? What never happens to the fire in hell? What must happen to everyone with fire (v49a)? What will happen to every sacrifice (v49b)? What must we have in ourselves (v50)? What must we have with one another?

What do those who are entering life do? Mark 9:43–50 looks forward to the hearing of God’s Word, publicly read, in the holy assembly on the coming Lord’s Day. In these eight verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that those who are entering life are in the business of putting sin to death.

In this passage, there’s much of warning about hell. Remember from last week, in talking about the value of Christ’s Name, the Holy Spirit emphasized the value of little ones upon whom He has placed His Name.

In this week’s passage, Jesus continues that theme, but turning us to consider its application to ourselves. What might cause us to stumble into sin, and by that sin to stumble into hell?

There was a popular NAPARC preacher who used to say that “being homosexual doesn’t send you to hell; failing to believe in Jesus does.” But we must be careful not to be wiser than the Lord (cf. 1Cor 6:9-11). Refusing to trust in Christ is certainly a sin, and those who do so will go to hell for that sin, but they will also be going to hell for all of their other sins as well.

Hell is nothing to trifle with. It is internal (worm) and external (fire), continual, retributive punishment from God. It is not simply “getting what we want, by being far from God.” No, God is everywhere (cf. Psalm 139), and the punishment in hell comes from the glory of His presence (2Thess 1:9). He compares that to being eaten alive from the inside out, and burned alive from the outside in—forever.

Yes, the righteousness and sacrifice of Christ are bigger than all of our sin. But consider this: one sin is as bad as an eternity of hell, for hell is the proper punishment of that sin. How much, then, should we do to avoid sin—we who have been saved by Christ and love Him?!

All those whom God has justified, God will surely glorify, and is surely sanctifying. If holiness is not being produced in you, then you may be sure that you will not enter into the blessedness of God (cf. Heb 12:11–14).

So, the real question in this passage is: what are you willing to cut out of your life in order to stop sinning? Obviously, we are responsible for our own sin. “My hand made me do it” (or foot, or eye) is not a good excuse. Sin comes from the heart, not from the hand, or foot, or eyeball. And thank God for that, or else we would need to open up a triage unit for those who obeyed this passage! We cannot blame God, like Adam, “this woman that You gave me; she made me do it!”

But there are certainly situations that we choose to be in, and relationships that we choose to enter or continue that become occasions for stirring up all manner of sin within our hearts, into which situations also we commit wicked behavior.

So, we have two options for fire: purifying fire upon a life lived as a living sacrifice, or punitive fire in condemnation of a life lived for oneself. This dual use of the image of fire appears also in Matthew 3:11-12. We may not find it pleasant to endure suffering and discipline in this life, as the Lord fits us for heaven by making us holy.

But, of the two fires, that is the one that is far to be preferred. And those whose lives are living sacrifices should not be surprised when it comes. Did our Lord not suffer far more than we ever will? And has He not been comparing His suffering to ours these last several passages of this gospel?

What situational/relationship choices are you making, despite the knowledge that they lead to sin? What fire is the Lord putting you through to prepare you for glory?

Sample prayer: Lord, we confess to You our ongoing sin. Please be faithful and just, both to forgive us our sin, and to cleanse us from all remaining unrighteousness. Forgive us for when we are so earthly-minded as to indulge our desires, instead of living as those who belong to heaven and to life. Make us to be ruthless with all remaining sinfulness, we ask through Christ, AMEN! 

Suggested songs: ARP24 “The Earth and the Riches” or TPH464 “The Beatitudes”

2026.08.27 Hopewell @Home ▫ Mark 9:30–42

Read Mark 9:30–42

Questions from the Scripture text: Through where did they pass in Mark 9:30? Whom did Jesus want to know it? What three things that would happen to Him was Jesus teaching His disciples (Mark 9:31)? Did they understand (Mark 9:32)? Why didn’t they ask about it? Where did He come in Mark 9:33? What did He ask them in the house? Why did they keep silent (Mark 9:34)? Whom did Jesus call to Himself in Mark 9:35? What did HE tell them in that verse? Whom did Jesus set in their midst in Mark 9:36? What did He do with that child? When He had done this, what does He say in Mark 9:37? What does John say they had seen in Mark 9:38? What does John say that they had done? that they have But what does Jesus say not to do (Mark 9:39)? Why not—what couldn’t those who do actual miracles in Christ’s name do? What does their giving praise to Christ’s name, and God’s permitting them to do miracles in Christ’s name, show about them (Mark 9:40)? What is another way that all believers show a reward that they cannot lose (Mark 9:41)? But what if, instead of doing good to someone because he belongs to Christ, they cause one of Christ’s little ones to stumble (Mark 9:42)?

Who is the greatest? Mark 9:30–42 looks forward to the hearing of God’s Word, publicly read, in the holy assembly on the coming Lord’s Day. In these thirteen verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that Christ is great, and we are all little ones be comparison—whose only greatness is Him Himself.

The Lord Jesus is patiently teaching His disciples that following a crucified Christ is all about glorifying that Christ through self-denying service to others.

Jesus was teaching them that it was all about His death and resurrection (Mark 9:31), while they were preoccupied with just how much it would be about them (Mark 9:33-34).

What a picture Jesus gave them—taking up a little child in His arms. When He talks about receiving one of the little children in His name, He is holding that child. Service to other Christians is for the sake of Him who treasures them and cares for them.

And this isn’t only true for those who have few years. The same principle applied to the disciples themselves (Mark 9:41). How great are they? No more than that little child. The greatness all belongs to Christ and His Name

That’s also the point about the miracles, isn’t it? If someone really did a miracle in Jesus’s name, it was only because Jesus had granted to him to be able to do it.

Today, there are sometimes very vocal “unity” people who might come to a passage like this and say, “See? We shouldn’t exclude anybody, and we should try to make everybody feel good about themselves like Jesus did for that child.”

How ironic it would be to abuse the passage this way, in light of Mark 9:31! Anyone who denies the truth about Jesus is definitely on the outside here, and in need of correction. And there is a whole lot of “not feeling good” that comes along with realizing how bad our sin is and what had to be done about it.

But we are also in danger of allowing a proper concern for precision to turn into personal hostility and even isolation. This can happen when we focus primarily upon another believer’s errors, or even worse, whether that believer is “with us.” The one to whom John referred was a believer, because their preaching was genuinely attended by the Spirit’s power.

Even when other believers are in error, or not with us, we must still value them as believers. So, how will we steer clear of the dangers in this passage? The answer is in the main theme of the passage: by keeping our focus upon the glory of Christ, treasuring and serving whomever He does!

Whom have you been treasuring and serving for the sake of Christ? Whom should you be?

Sample prayer: Lord, forgive us for how we have been obsessed about being the greatest, when You came not to be served but to serve, and to give Your life as a ransom for many. Truly, we have failed to have in us the mind that was in You. We have not preferred others to ourselves, or looked out for their interests as much as for our own. And, we have often disregarded whether we might be making little ones to stumble. Into what great danger this has put us! So, forgive us, we ask, for Jesus’s sake. And make us to be like unto Him, we ask in His Name, AMEN! 

Suggested songs: ARP22C “I’ll Praise You in the Gathering” or HB435 “I Love Thy Kingdom, Lord”

2026.08.20 Hopewell @Home ▫ Mark 9:14–29

Read Mark 9:14–29

Questions from the Scripture text: What did Jesus see, when He came to His disciples (Mark 9:14)? How did the people respond when they saw Jesus (Mark 9:15)? What did Jesus ask the scribes (Mark 9:16)? Who answers, and how (Mark 9:17-18)? What does Jesus call that entire generation in response (Mark 9:19)? What did the spirit do when they brought the boy to Jesus (Mark 9:20)? What did Jesus ask (Mark 9:21a)? What did the father answer (Mark 9:21-22)? What did he not seem sure that Jesus could do? What does Jesus tell the father in Mark 9:23? How does the father respond in Mark 9:24? Whom did Jesus rebuke in Mark 9:25? What happened in Mark 9:26? How do the people respond? But how does Jesus respond in Mark 9:27? What do the disciples ask in Mark 9:28? And what does Jesus say in Mark 9:29?

What is impressive about Jesus’s disciples? Mark 9:14–29 looks forward to the hearing of God’s Word, publicly read, in the holy assembly on the coming Lord’s Day. In these sixteen verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that Jesus Himself if the only impressiveness of His disciples. 

In this passage, we run into a problem that is not so rare, even today. There are people failing to believe in Jesus because His followers don’t seem to have special powers of their own. 

While it is true that Jesus would later give them particular “signs of an apostle” by His Holy Spirit, apparently the people thought that the disciples’ inability to cast out the demon meant that Jesus was somehow gone. Notice that they are “greatly amazed” to see Him in Mark 9:15. And notice in Mark 9:18 that the man had come with full expectation that the disciples could help. Even the disciples thought they should have been able to do it (Mark 9:28).

Sometimes, we are tempted to think this way too. We look around the church, and maybe we see a bunch of unimpressive people. Sometimes, in fact, they leave exactly the wrong impression upon us. There are people still today who see that and say, “if these are His people, then Jesus must not really exist; or, at least, He must not be a Savior worth having.”

But by this time in Mark’s gospel, we’re noticing a theme. Jesus saves by going to the cross. Jesus tells us that we have to take up our own cross. Even when He says, “all things are possible to Him who believes” in Mark 9:23, He makes it plain that this “all-things-possible” is not some kind of power that He gives us, but something that goes along with a life that consists in trusting Him:

“This kind can come out by nothing but prayer and fasting.” Depending upon Jesus and denying ourselves. That’s the Christian life! Notice that Jesus didn’t pray and fast; He just commanded. He is the One unto Whom we pray and fast.

In the end, there were two people in that family who were deaf and mute. The father, spiritually so, needed Jesus’s help as much as the son did. He needed Jesus’s help to open his ears with the understanding of faith, and to open his mouth with expressions of faith.

We need that too, if we’re going to live a life of depending upon Jesus and denying ourselves. Let us learn to cry out to Him, “Lord, I believe. Help my unbelief!”

In what situation in your life, do you need Jesus to give you the faith to trust that the Lord is doing and will do something wonderful for your good and His glory?

Sample prayer:  Lord, forgive us for having lower opinions of You on account of the unimpressiveness of Your people. We believe; help our unbelief! Grant that we would not seek a life of being able to do things in ourselves, but of resting upon You in all circumstances. Make us those who pray and fast unto You, we ask through Christ, AMEN!

Suggested songs: ARP46 “God Is Our Refuge and Our Strength” or TPH429 “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing” 

Hear Him! [Family Worship lesson in Mark 9:1–13]

Whom must we hear? Mark 9:1–13 looks forward to the hearing of God’s Word, publicly read, in the holy assembly on the coming Lord’s Day. In these thirteen verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that we must hear Christ, telling us that God the Son became a man to suffer abuse and die, and that His people must expect similar experience. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson) Summary of the transcript of the audio: The devotional examines the Transfiguration narrative to reveal Jesus's divine glory and authority as the beloved Son of God. It contrasts the radiant revelation on the mountain with the subsequent necessity of Christ's suffering, death, and resurrection. Pastor highlights how Peter's misunderstanding serves to correct any notion of equality between Jesus and the Old Testament prophets. This event confirms that the kingdom of God arrives through the Son's sacrificial work rather than earthly power. The message calls believers to worship Jesus alone and trust in the redemptive power of His cross.

2026.08.13 Hopewell @Home ▫ Mark 9:1–13

Read Mark 9:1–13

Questions from the Scripture text: Some of whom, did Jesus say, would not taste death until they saw the kingdom of God having come with power (Mark 9:1)? How many days later does Mark 9:2 occur? Who takes disciples up the mountain? Whom does He take? Who is transfigured before them? What happens to His clothes in Mark 9:3? Who appear in Mark 9:4? With whom are they talking? Who jumps into the conversation in Mark 9:5? What does He suggest they do? Why did he say this (Mark 9:6)? What comes and overshadows them (Mark 9:7)? What comes out of the cloud? What does the voice say? What suddenly happens (Mark 9:8)? Until when does Jesus command that they should tell no one the things they had seen (Mark 9:9)? What did they question (Mark 9:10)? What do they ask Him (Mark 9:11)? And what does He ask them in response (Mark 9:12)? What does He say happened when the Elijah prophet came (Mark 9:13)?

Whom must we hear? Mark 9:1–13 looks forward to the hearing of God’s Word, publicly read, in the holy assembly on the coming Lord’s Day. In these thirteen verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that we must hear Christ, telling us that God the Son became a man to suffer abuse and die, and that His people must expect similar experience. 

In this reading, the Lord is still dealing with us about our false expectations of what it will be like to be His disciples. The passage is closely connected to the preceding one in chapter 8, where Peter takes it upon himself to pull Jesus aside and correct Him (!) for saying that He had to suffer and die.

On this particular occasion, Jesus’s glory is revealed in a physical way, and Moses and Elijah appear to them, and they are talking with Jesus. What does Peter do? He says the first thing he can think of: “We should have a campout!”

The Scripture even emphasizes that he said this precisely because he didn’t know what to say. Here’s an idea: if you don’t know what to say, then don’t say anything at all! God takes over the conversation and corrects Peter: if the beloved Son of God is in the conversation, you just shut your mouth and listen. “Hear Him!”

When they hear Him, what does He say? “I’m going to rise from the dead.” They are so resistant to the idea of His death that they don’t understand what He means by “risen from the dead”!

So, they ask Him a Bible question. The scholar theologians of the day interpreted Scripture to say that Elijah would come before the Christ (cf. Malachi 4:5-6). So the disciples, now convinced that Jesus is the Christ, wonder why Elijah hadn’t come. 

Notice how Jesus points out their inconsistency before He answers. It’s like He’s saying, “So, you’ll take the Scripture seriously when it says that Elijah comes first, but you’re determined not to take it seriously when it says that the Messiah must suffer?”

I’m afraid we are often like Peter and the others: very intrigued by some fine question in the Scripture, while neglecting other things that are most plain and necessary. This most of all: this glorious Lord Jesus suffered and died for sinners!

How have you suffered for Christ, for the gospel, or for righteousness? Whom do you follow in this? How does one listen to Jesus? How have you, specifically, been listening to Jesus? What are some examples of things that you have recently heard Him say in His Word?

Sample prayer:  Lord, we thank You and praise You that You have given us so many ways, on so many occasions, to behold the glory of Christ. But still, we have often been more interested in expressing ourselves than hearing Him, or in theological curiosities rather than what He Himself has emphasized in His Word. And, when He has told us that we must expect to suffer many things, we have bristled against His Word. Forgive us and grant us tender hearts that receive His Word by faith in Him, we ask in His Name, AMEN!

Suggested songs: ARP22A “My God, My God” or TPH131A “Not Haughty Is My Heart” 

2026.08.06 Hopewell @Home ▫ Mark 8:22–38

 Read Mark 8:22–38

Questions from the Scripture text: Where did Jesus come in Mark 8:22? What did they beg Jesus to do to the blind man? What did Jesus do by touching the man’s hand in Mark 8:23? Then what did Jesus do to the man’s eyes? When Jesus put His hands on the man again, what did He ask? How did the man answer (Mark 8:24)? What does Jesus do when He touches the man the third time (Mark 8:25)? Where does Jesus send the man in Mark 8:26? What does He tell him not to do? Where are Jesus and the disciples, when they have the conversation in Mark 8:27-33? What does Jesus ask them first (Mark 8:27)? What do they answer (Mark 8:28)? What does He ask them in Mark 8:29a? What does Peter answer (verse 29b)? What does He warn them in Mark 8:30? What does He begin to teach them in Mark 8:31? What does Jesus do to Him in Mark 8:32? What does Jesus call Peter in Mark 8:33? What explanation does Jesus give for that? Whom does He call to Himself for the rest of the lesson in Mark 8:34? What does He say someone who desires to follow Him must do? Whom does He say will lose his life in Mark 8:35? For what purpose does He say we should lose our life? What will we lose if we gain the whole world by being ashamed of Christ (Mark 8:36-37)? Of whom must we not be ashamed (Mark 8:38)? Of what must we not be ashamed? If are ashamed of Jesus and His words now, who will be ashamed of us and when?

What can believers expect in this life? Mark 8:22–38 looks forward to the hearing of God’s Word, publicly read, in the holy assembly on the coming Lord’s Day. In these seventeen verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that believers should expect crosses of their own, as they follow a crucified Christ. 

Christ works in His own sovereign way. He could have healed the blind man, immediately, with a word—or even simply by willing it. But He takes many steps to heal him. He touches him, as He leads him by the hand out of town (Mark 8:23). He spits on his eyes. He touches him again, putting His hands upon him, when he asks him if he saw anything. He touches him a third time (Mark 8:25), when He puts His hands on his eyes, turning them upward. It’s quite the process!

Similarly, He works in His own sovereign way in our lives. Those who follow Him must deny themselves and take up their crosses to do so (Mark 8:34). Each disciple will have his own particular cross. His life is not his own anymore; he must lose it to Christ, in order to gain it by Christ (Mark 8:35). In particular, believers must be prepared (and willing) to be scorned for Christ’s sake (Mark 8:38).

Christ’s sovereign way is a perfectly saving way. It is not only in our lives that Christ often operates opposite our expectations. He did this especially in His own life. He did not come to be famous, but to die and rise again for sinners. He forbade the blind man to tell about Him (Mark 8:26). And after Peter confesses Him to be Christ (Mark 8:29), He also warns the disciples not to tell anyone about Him (Mark 8:30). He does not build His kingdom by impressiveness of reputation. He came to suffer many things, be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, be killed, and after three days, rise again (Mark 8:31). By opposing this (Mark 8:32), Peter goes from confessing Christ to being a mouthpiece for Satan (Mark 8:33). And we know that it was in following His own perfect plan that He atoned for our sin, and conquered Satan and death. 

Dear believing reader, whatever cross your Redeemer has assigned to you is the right and best one. He has already taken the atoning and redeeming one, and He carries you through only those crosses by which He applies that redemption. 

In what current situation in your life has the Lord’s wisdom puzzled you? What, ultimately, is He doing?

Sample prayer:  Lord, we praise You for Your perfect wisdom, and thank You for the glorious grace in which You gave Yourself to become a man, to suffer, to be scorned, and to die the accursed death of the cross for us. And we thank You for applying Your wisdom in how You sovereignly rule our lives. Please give us grace to be content under crosses—to trust You as You carry us through them. 

Suggested songs: ARP22A “My God, My God” or TPH131A “Not Haughty Is My Heart”

The Heart Is the Problem [Family Worship lesson in Mark 8:11–21]

How much evidence is enough to resolve unbelief? Mark 8:11–21 prepares us for the hearing of God’s Word, publicly read, in the holy assembly on the coming Lord’s Day. In these eleven verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that unbelief is not resolved by more evidence, but by eliminating the unbelief itself. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson) Summary of the transcript of the audio: The devotional examines Mark 8:11-21 to find that the root of spiritual blindness is a hardened heart rather than a lack of evidence. The Pharisees' demand for signs results in Jesus's warning against the leaven of unbelief and skepticism. Pastor emphasizes that believers also struggle with doubt, when they judge by external circumstances instead of God's Word, character, and work. True faith requires the Holy Spirit to soften the heart and enable perception. Ultimately, living by faith depends on continual reliance on God's grace to overcome remaining sin.

2026.07.23 Hopewell @Home ▫ Mark 8:11–21

Read Mark 8:11–21

Questions from the Scripture text: What are the Pharisees seeking from Jesus as they dispute with Him and test Him (Mark 8:11)? How does Jesus respond even before He talks (Mark 8:12a)? What does He say after He sighs like this (verse 12b)? Where does He go now? What had the disciples forgotten (Mark 8:14)? How many loaves did they have with them? If five loaves fed five thousand families, how many could Jesus feed with one loaf? What does Jesus warn them to watch out for in Mark 8:15? Why do the disciples think He said this (Mark 8:16)? What does this show Jesus about their understanding and their hearts (Mark 8:17-18)? What questions does He ask them, and how do they answer, in Mark 8:19-20? What question does He leave them with in Mark 8:21?

How much evidence is enough to resolve unbelief? Mark 8:11–21 prepares us for the hearing of God’s Word, publicly read, in the holy assembly on the coming Lord’s Day. In these eleven verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that unbelief is not resolved by more evidence, but by eliminating the unbelief itself. 

In this passage, everyone is disappointing Jesus.

First, the Pharisees exasperate Him (Mark 8:12) by asking for a sign (Mark 8:11). When someone says, “I don’t believe you; prove it,” the problem isn’t necessarily that there hasn’t been enough evidence. Jesus had shown plenty signs. The problem was in the Pharisees themselves. This is why Jesus calls this “an evil and adulterous generation” (cf. Matthew 12:39). 

We want to distance ourselves from the Pharisees, and say, “See! They hated Him so much that they still refused to believe in Him!” 

But, if we pay careful attention to Jesus’s response, we see that this is a problem with a much wider group than the Pharisees. 

Jesus says that this problem was one that belonged to their generation as a whole (Mark 8:12)! And the warning in Mark 8:15 is not just about the Pharisees; it’s about Herod as well.

Don’t we, sometimes, respond in unbelieving ways, when our experiences and emotions don’t line up with what we had expected from the Lord? Isn’t this a sort of “asking for a sign” from Him? We, too, must beware of evil unbelief in our hearts. We, too, must beware of picking this up from the leaders of the world, and perhaps even some leaders in the churches.

That brings us to Jesus’s disappointment with the disciples. A parallel passage tells us at the end that they later understood that He was warning them about the teaching of Pharisees (cf. Matthew 16:12). The Holy Spirit has Mark leave that part out so that their lack of understanding will be front and center.

It’s kind of humiliating actually: “Do you mean you guys still can’t count to 12 (Mark 8:19) or count to 7 (Mark 8:20)?” “Do you mean that you guys can’t remember all the way back to like… yesterday?” Obviously, they could. Jesus says that the problem with their perception and understanding is a hard heart (Mark 8:17).

But that’s just the point. No sign is necessary for the Pharisees or for the disciples or for Herod, because Jesus has given more than ample demonstration of Himself!

And this is true not only in Scripture but even in your own life, isn’t it dear Christian? 

How can you not count, and recognize, and remember how He continually spares you from the consequences of your sin? How He continually treats you, according to His own love, based upon what His own righteousness deserves? How is it that we do not understand? God graciously give us believing hearts!

What “signs” do you tend to seek from Jesus? In what ways is your heart hard and unbelieving?

Sample prayer:  Lord, forgive us for our hard hearts that still have so much unbelief in them. This hardness is the reason that we don’t perceive and understand. Forgive us for when we doubt about You, because You do not seem to meet our expectations. We see how backward this is. It is we who should be meeting Your expectations. Forgive us, cleanse us, and help us, we ask through Christ, AMEN!

Suggested songs: ARP23B “The LORD’s My Shepherd” or TPH273 “Break, Thou, the Bread of Life”

Almighty Savior for All People [Family Worship lesson in Mark 7:24–8:10]

Whom does Jesus save? Mark 7:25–8:10 prepares us for the hearing of God’s Word, publicly read, in the holy assembly on the coming Lord’s Day. In these twenty-four verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that Jesus is an abundant Savior for a multitude from all the nations. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson) Summary of the transcript of the audio: The devotional explores Jesus's ministry in Gentile territories to demonstrate that He is the Savior for all nations, not just Israel. Through the accounts of the Syrophoenician woman and the healing of the deaf man, the text highlights how Christ fulfills Old Testament prophecies by extending grace and power beyond Jewish boundaries. The feeding of the four thousand further illustrates His abundant provision and the profound spiritual hunger that He gives even Gentile sinners. These events collectively affirm that Jesus does all things well, fulfilling every promise regarding His role as Mediator and Redeemer. Believers are encouraged to trust in His complete sufficiency and prioritize nearness to Him above physical comfort.

2026.07.16 Hopewell @Home ▫ Mark 7:24–8:10

Read Mark 7:24–8:10

Questions from the Scripture text: Into what region did Jesus go in Mark 7:24? What couldn’t He do? Why not—who found Him (Mark 7:25)? What ethnicity was the woman (Mark 7:26)? What did Jesus imply about her in Mark 7:27? Did she deny it in Mark 7:28? How did she respond? What does Jesus say is a result of her response in Mark 7:29? What did the woman find when she went home (Mark 7:30)? To what region does Jesus then go in Mark 7:31? Interestingly, in this Gentile region, what does He say in Aramaic in Mark 7:34? In addition to regaining his hearing, what other miracle does the man in Mark 7:35 experience? What does He command them in Mark 7:36 (something He usually commands in Jewish territory)? What do people say about Him in Mark 7:37 (that demonstrates that though Gentiles, they had Messianic expectations)? What size multitude had Jesus gathered now, even in this Gentile territory (Mark 8:1)? What did Jesus have on the multitude in Mark 8:2? How long had they stayed with Him, even without food? Why would some of them have passed out on the way home, if He sent them away to eat (Mark 8:3)? Why didn’t the disciples think they had any other options (Mark 8:4)? How many loaves did they have (Mark 8:5)? What did Jesus command the multitude to do in Mark 8:6? What two things does Jesus do with the loaves before giving them to the disciples? What else did they have (Mark 8:7)? How much did these people who hadn’t eaten for three days eat (Mark 8:8)? How many, of what size baskets of leftovers, did they take up? How many had eaten? To what (Jewish) region did Jesus now go (Mark 8:10)?

Whom does Jesus save? Mark 7:25–8:10 prepares us for the hearing of God’s Word, publicly read, in the holy assembly on the coming Lord’s Day. In these twenty-four verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that Jesus is an abundant Savior for a multitude from all the nations. 

Jesus goes into Gentile territory and shows that He is making for Himself children from among the Gentiles too.

First, we find Him in Tyre and Sidon (Mark 7:24), coastal trade-port cities with terrible reputations for wickedness. In fact, these cities often find themselves targets of condemnation in the Minor Prophets, and even appear in Jesus’ pronouncements against the Jewish cities on Galilee.

There, a woman somehow finds out that He is there and comes to ask Him to save her daughter from the control of a demon (Mark 7:25-26). The woman is a Gentile, and Jesus basically says, “Don’t you know that I’m a Jewish Messiah Who came to a Jewish nation?” (Mark 7:27). In fact, His word picture for her and her daughter is “dogs” as opposed to “children.” However, this woman’s love for her daughter, and faith in Christ, foster a humility that doesn’t take offense at this but rather insists that Christ has more than enough grace for all—even unclean Gentiles (Mark 7:28). Jesus recognizes this and tells her that her daughter has been healed (Mark 7:29-30).

Jesus moves on to the Decapolis (Mark 7:31)—a region populated by Gentiles and Samaritans, but we find in Mark 7:37 especially that there are many here expecting the Christ. He was prophesied to make the deaf to hear and the mute to speak (cf. Isaiah 35:5–6), and here Jesus does both in one case (Mark 7:32-35). Those who are expecting Isaiah’s Messiah say, “He has done all things well” (Mark 7:37). 

And He has, dear Christian. He has fulfilled every prophecy and completed every task of the Messiah. He is a victorious and complete Savior. You may cling to Him with absolute confidence!

The final episode may be the strongest statement that Christ is every bit as much a Messiah for the Gentiles as for the Jews. The Jews had recognized whom He was claiming to be, when He fed a multitude in the wilderness. Now, there is a multitude who are willing to stay with Him without food for three days (Mark 8:2, their willingness a small miracle in itself), but this multitude is Gentile. What does He do? Reproduce the wilderness feeding, still with seven large baskets left over (Mark 8:8). Jesus is a more-than-abundant Savior for the whole world!!

Have you ever wondered if Jesus is a Savior for you? What’s it look like for you to cling to Him, even if you’re not “in”? What does it look like to cling to Him, even when difficult or inconvenient? How much is He able to save you?

Sample prayer:  Lord, thank You for reminding us that Jesus is saving people who are not yet part of His church. Thank You for reminding us that He is an abundant Savior for as many as come to Him. Forgive us for when we are reluctant or hesitant to come to Him. Make us like those four thousand Gentiles, Who stayed with Him three days, even though they had no food. Make us hunger and thirst for Him, more than for bread or any other earthly good, we ask in His Name, AMEN!

Suggested songs: ARP23B “The LORD’s My Shepherd” or TPH273 “Break, Thou, the Bread of Life”

2026.07.09 Hopewell @Home ▫ Mark 7:1–23

Read Mark 7:1–23

Questions from the Scripture text: Who come to Jesus in Mark 7:1? Where did they come from? With what do they find fault (Mark 7:2)? In what manner did they wash their hands (Mark 7:3)? What else did they baptize (Mark 7:4)? What did they ask (Mark 7:5)? Does Jesus answer their question? Whom does Jesus say prophesied about them (Mark 7:6)? What did Isaiah say they did with their lips? What did Isaiah say about their hearts? What did Jesus say about their worship (Mark 7:7)? Where did their worship come from, that made it vain (verse 7, Mark 7:8, Mark 7:9)? What does Mark 7:10 say God commanded? What do Mark 7:11-12 say got in the way of obeying God’s command? What did Jesus say defiles a man (makes him unclean, Mark 7:15)? When He explains this to His disciples in Mark 7:20-23, what does He describe as the manner in which what comes out of us shows us to be unclean? What does Jesus say about all foods in Mark 7:19? With whom are people disagreeing, when they try to keep the Old Testament food laws?

What are the dangers in religious traditions? Mark 7:1–23 prepares us for the hearing of God’s Word, publicly read, in the holy assembly on the coming Lord’s Day. In these twenty-three verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that religious traditions that don’t come from Scripture make God’s own commandments small by comparison, and keep us from paying attention to the true realities involved in our drawing near to Him. 

The religious leaders are indignant that the disciples of Jesus don’t wash hands before eating (Mark 7:2). 

“These backwards Galileans!” they must have thought—don’t they know that up in Jerusalem we have a well-established tradition that all Bible-believing Jews have followed for hundreds of years (Mark 7:3-5)?!

Of course, the disciples are more interested in listening to whatever Jesus says—even if they don’t always understand it well. Jesus had to explain to them that with His coming, all foods are now declared clean (Mark 7:19). Jesus had to explain to them that the point of the food laws was to impress us with how easily we become unclean (Mark 7:20).

Jesus had to point out that our uncleanness is far worse than the food laws ever even pictured. Every sin that comes out of us does so precisely because our hearts are cesspools of filthiness (Mark 7:21-23). As a famous late preacher summarized, “We aren’t sinners because we sin; we sin because we’re sinners!”

Well, it’s one thing to struggle to grasp what Jesus is saying because we are dull-minded. The Pharisees and Scribes had a worse problem. Their struggle was because man-made religious ideas were so big to them that the commandments of God were small by comparison (Mark 7:6-9).

So Jesus puts them on notice: Isaiah 29:13 (cf. Colossians 2:22-23) was written about you! No worship or righteousness can ever be defined by the traditions of man. Only God can define what is true worship. Only God can define what is true righteousness.

Isaiah’s words are quite sharp. All worship that comes from the ideas of man instead of the command of God is “vain.” That means it is empty, invalid, and worthless. Following such practices shows that our “hearts are far from God.” 

Would you like for God to call your worship to Him worthless? Would you like for His assessment of you to be that your heart is far from Him? Then, simply take something that man made up, and treat it as if it is spiritually meaningful!

Worse, it will be a distraction from following what Jesus says to think and do. And we already have enough difficulty with that, don’t we?

What “Christian” ideas or practices were invented by men and not God? How can we squash the idea or feeling that such ideas or practices are spiritually meaningful? What religious traditions have you had to give up, in order to worship God only in the way that He has said? What religious traditions might you still need to let go of in your heart? How are you clinging to God Himself instead?

Sample prayer:  Lord, please forgive us, and help us, for there are so many ways in which we have treated the ideas and traditions of men as if they are spiritually meaningful. We are tempted to take spiritual comfort, or even spiritual pride, in things that are actually offensive to You. We have neglected how from out of our hearts proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, and foolishness. All these evil things come from within and defile us. So, forgive us by Christ’s blood, we ask, and make us alive unto You for righteousness by His ressurection power, we ask in His Name, AMEN!

Suggested songs: ARP119M “O How I Love Your Law” or TPH101A “Of Steadfast Love and Justice, LORD”

Death of a Prophet [Family Worship lesson in Mark 6:13–29]

What may happen to faithful servants? Mark 6:14–29 prepares us for the hearing of God’s Word, publicly read, in the holy assembly on the coming Lord’s Day. In these sixteen verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that faithful servants of Christ may, in this life, find themselves brutally and treacherously murdered. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson) Summary of the transcript of the audio: This devotional examines the tragic execution of John the Baptist to illustrate how faithful and holy believers may suffer despite their righteousness. Pastor analyzes King Herod's sinful self-indulgence and rash oath as catalysts for this injustice, emphasizing that such events do not contradict God's sovereign rule. Believers are encouraged to humble themselves before divine providence rather than placing their hope in earthly success or personal plans. The message urges the hearer to maintain confidence in Christ, and remain steadfast in holiness, regardless of external circumstances. Ultimately, hope is placed in God's secret will and the certainty of salvation rather than immediate earthly vindication.

2026.06.25 Hopewell @Home ▫ Mark 6:14–29

Read Mark 6:14–29

Questions from the Scripture text: Whom did Herod think Jesus was (Mark 6:14)? What had Herod done to him (Mark 6:16)? What had John the Baptizer said to Herod (Mark 6:18)? Who wanted to kill him for that (Mark 6:19)? Why couldn’t she (Mark 6:20)? What had Herodias done to please Herod (Mark 6:22)? What did He swear to her (Mark 6:23)? Whom did she ask for advice about what to ask for from Herod (Mark 6:24)? What did Herodias ask for (Mark 6:25)? How did the king feel about this (Mark 6:26)? But what did he do and why (verse 26)? What had John’s disciples done with the body (Mark 6:29)?

What may happen to faithful servants? Mark 6:14–29 prepares us for the hearing of God’s Word, publicly read, in the holy assembly on the coming Lord’s Day. In these sixteen verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that faithful servants of Christ may, in this life, find themselves brutally and treacherously murdered. 

The way we get the account of John’s beheading is by a sort of flashback, in which we are learning why Herod might think that Jesus was actually John the Baptizer, resurrected. Herod had a strange esteem for John. He didn’t lie and pretend in order to try to get the king to like him. He told it like it is. “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife” (Mark 6:18). Herod knew him to be just and holy (Mark 6:20). Obviously, something about John’s character had struck a chord with Herod that he could think that Jesus was John, resurrected back to life. 

It also seems that his disciples’ earnestness to retrieve and bury the body—even without a head!—had left an impression upon Herod (Mark 6:28), so that he now thought that John had risen. Burial is a way of saying, “he’s not done with this; we expect resurrection.” Christ’s burial was the same way: an expectation of resurrection. And I hope that your burial will be as well, dear Christian. 

So Herod was impressed with John. This wasn’t a faker. This was a just man, an upstanding man, a righteous man, a holy man. In fact, Mark 6:20 tells us that Herod did many things to protect John, and that he heard him gladly. That should be terrifying. How few of us “would do many things” in order to “hear gladly” a faithful preacher, who isn’t afraid of offending us with the truths of God’s Word? 

On the one hand, many of us will have to admit to being less zealous to hear faithful preaching than Herod!! On the other hand, even those with this zeal may fall into great wickedness. Let us beware of worldly pleasure such as feasting our eyeballs upon a dancing girl. Guard the eye-gates of your hearts, men! 

And let us beware of pride similar to that, in which a man could be so impressed with himself and his property, that he considers it half-disposable. Let us beware of its evil twin, immodesty, in which a man makes display of himself by grandiose gifts and rash vows. The presence of his guests contributed to his ordering this horrific act (Mark 6:26). 

Finally, as this passage interrupts the successful mission of the disciples, let us see here that the Lord’s servants may suffer brutal execution, even in the midst of the advance of the kingdom. Even if we were holy, just, and effective as John, we ought to entrust ourselves to the providence of God, knowing that such things happen to faithful servants in this life.

How can you strengthen yourself against peer pressure? In what situations are you in danger of lust entering your heart through the eye-gate? What have you suffered, as a faithful servant of Christ? What might you yet suffer?

Sample prayer:  Lord, thank You for the grace by which You keep men like John faithful. Forgive us for how we have been like Herod: self-indulgent, lustful, proud, and ready to do evil out of the fear of men. Forgive us also for how we have expected more comfortable providence than John endured. Grant that we would keep ourselves pure, and that we would be confident in the coming of Your kingdom, we ask through Christ, AMEN.

Suggested songs: ARP1 “How Blessed the Man” or TPH509 “Why Should Cross and Trial Grieve Me”

Jesus Saves His Bairns [Family Worship lesson in Mark 5:21–43]

What does Jesus offer? Mark 5:21–43 prepares us for the hearing of God’s Word, publicly read, in the holy assembly on the coming Lord’s Day. In these twenty-three verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that Jesus offers to us to be as His own dear children. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson) Summary of the transcript of the audio: [Transcription unavailable at time of publication].

2026.06.04 Hopewell @Home ▫ Mark 5:21–43

Read Mark 5:21–43

Questions from the Scripture text: When Jesus crossed back to the Jewish side of the lake, who gathered to him (Mark 5:21)? Who fell at his feet in Mark 5:22? What did he ask Jesus to do in Mark 5:23? Where did Jesus go in Mark 5:24? Who went with Him? For how long had the woman in Mark 5:25 had a flow of blood? How had she tried to get better (Mark 5:26)? What did she try now (Mark 5:27)? How quickly was she healed when she touched Jesus (Mark 5:28-29)? What did Jesus ask (Mark 5:30)? Why did the disciples think this was a silly question (Mark 5:31)? How did the woman respond (Mark 5:33)? What does Jesus call her (Mark 5:34)? What has happened during this time (Mark 5:35)? What did Jesus say to the synagogue ruler in Mark 5:36? Whom did He bring with Him now in Mark 5:37? What does He say about the girl in Mark 5:39? By the end of Mark 5:40, who is there? What does he call the daughter in Mark 5:41? How old was she (Mark 5:42)? How do they respond? What two things does He command them in Mark 5:43?

What does Jesus offer? Mark 5:21–43 prepares us for the hearing of God’s Word, publicly read, in the holy assembly on the coming Lord’s Day. In these twenty-three verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that Jesus offers to us to be as His own dear children. 

In this passage, we find two daughters. The Holy Spirit gives us the little girl’s age and the length of the woman’s suffering so that we will connect the two. Other than that, the two seem to have little in common. The woman is by herself. She is out of resources. No one seems to care about her. The little girl has parents. Her father is the synagogue ruler. She has her own crowd of people weeping and wailing for her.

But our Savior brings the invisible woman out into the light. He who is full of the Spirit, and knows so much about so many—did He not know who had been healed? Of course He does, but He wants everyone else to know. He wants everyone else to see her with Him. He wants everyone else to hear Him call her daughter.

Then, there’s the opposite in the house. He only takes three of the disciples. He tells the truth that the girl is sleeping (her soul has not departed but is waiting by her body to obey Christ’s command). When people mock, He takes it as an opportunity to retain only Jairus and Mrs. Jairus. He’s not interested in provoking the mob to try to enthrone Him as king. Although He had called the ‘invisible’ woman “daughter,” he calls the little girl “little girl.”

Jesus hid from everyone else what we have an easier time remembering: that He is infinitely glorious! But He put on display what we have a more difficult time accepting: that He is wondrously merciful. To Him, there are no invisible women. To Him, that woman is considered with all the tenderness of a daughter. 

And so are you, dear Christian. You may have no one else. You may have nothing else. You may have tried everything. The Lord Jesus can heal you and cares for you as for a daughter!

From what do you need healing? From whom (Whom!) do you expect the most compassion? How do you seek it?

Sample prayer:  Father, thank You for giving to us Your Son, our Lord Jesus, to love us dearly, and with saving power, as He did the daughter of Jairus and the older “daughter” with the flow of blood. Forgive us for how we put our hope the experts of this world, rather than merely employing them. Truly, this is a recipe for losing all that we have and being no better. And forgive us for when we even trust our own wisdom—like those did who laughed at Christ. What grievous sins these are, against such a powerful and loving Savior. Turn us from such sins we ask, through Him, AMEN!

Suggested songs: ARP23B “The LORD’s My Shepherd” or TPH492 “How Sweet the Name of Jesus Sounds”