Almighty Disciple-Making [2026.03.08 Morning Sermon in Matthew 28:16–20]

Jesus exercises His authority to make disciples out of all for whom He died.

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Jesus, Almighty Disciple-Maker [Family Worship lesson in Matthew 28:16–20]

For what does the Lord institute baptism? Matthew 28:16–20 prepares us for the morning sermon in the holy assembly on the coming Lord’s Day. In these five verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that the Lord institutes baptism as a sign of Christ’s authority and power in His gathering church. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

2026.03.07 Hopewell @Home ▫ Matthew 28:16–20

Read Matthew 28:16–20

Questions from the Scripture text: Who go to Galilee (Matthew 28:16)? Which mountain do they go to? Whom do they see (Matthew 28:17)? What do they all do to Him? What do some of them do? Who came and spoke to them (Matthew 28:18)? How much authority has been given to Him? Which authority has been given to Him? What are they to make, therefore (Matthew 28:19)? By what two actions are disciples made (Matthew 28:19b, Matthew 28:20)? Into what single name are they baptized? What are they taught to do with Jesus’s commands? How many of them? Who is with them always, as they make disciples? Even until when?

For what does the Lord institute baptism? Matthew 28:16–20 prepares us for the morning sermon in the holy assembly on the coming Lord’s Day. In these five verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that the Lord institutes baptism as a sign of Christ’s authority and power in His gathering church.  

When Jesus’s disciples are brokenhearted at the Passover, the Lord Jesus instituted the Supper to direct their hearts and minds unto Him, to feed spiritually upon Him repeatedly for the rest of the age. 

And now, when some of them are still doubting after having seen Him multiple times (as we learn from John 21), the Lord Jesus institutes baptism to affirm to them His authority and glory (Matthew 28:18), obligate them to His service (Matthew 28:19), and assure them of His presence and power  unto the end of the age. These are exactly the things to which every single one whom Jesus adds to His church needs to commit. 

In the first century, baptisms were already used as initiations/identifications by set-apart groups. The same had been true of circumcision. Now, Jesus initiates baptism as the mark of the church of His disciples. And what does this mark teach us?

That all authority has been given to Him in heaven and earth. He is God from all eternity. But He became a Man, lived a perfectly obedient life, died an atoning death, and rose again from the dead. His saving work as the Christ is done. His time of humiliation is over. Even in His human nature, He is now exalted. Not only over the earth. But even over heaven! He is, in His divinity, “He who sits upon the throne.” But He is also, in His humanity, the risen and ascended and exalted “Lamb who sits upon the throne.” We must trust in Him and worship Him. Faith.

Christian baptism also teaches us that we are obligated to be disciples who make disciples. If our risen Lord is in authority generally, how much more over His disciples specifically! And what does He want them (and us) to do? Well, there is a great and primary duty: make disciples. But, there is also something else that He wants disciples to do “observe all thing that Jesus has commanded.” If the church does not teach the whole counsel of God, it is guilty of the lives of its members (Acts 20:26–27). Not all may be teachers, but all must learn. We have a duty to study in order to believe all of Jesus’s doctrine and obey all of Jesus’s commands. Obedience.

And the last big thing that Christian baptism teaches is that this faith and obedience can come only through the grace of ongoing, continual delight in and dependence upon Jesus’s fellowship. “and lo, I am with you always.”

The Lord Jesus had said that He Himself would build His church and that the gates of Hell would not prevail against it (cf. Matthew 16:18). But now the Lord Jesus is leaving, and this group before Him is not very promising. 

There are only eleven of them because one who was numbered among the disciples turned out to be the betrayer. That might dampen your confidence about the new disciples in Matthew 28:19—especially when you consider that even from among the eleven that remain, there are still some who are doubting.

But it is exactly into our consideration of these disciples, and the disciples that they are to be making, that Jesus announces that it is about His authority and power, not ours, and His faithfulness, not ours.

Jesus announces that He has authority in heaven and on earth, and a church that is in heaven and on earth. The resurrected Man before them has authority even in Heaven to pour out the Holy Spirit, for He is a divine Person. They have known since Matthew 3:11 that He would baptize with the Holy Spirit. 

Baptisms were already used as initiations into groups, and now Jesus notifies them that as He is the Second Person of the Trinity, the church of the Lord Jesus Christ is the church of the Triune God. He commands that the one Name (singular—one God) into which they be baptized be Triune (three Persons, whose one name is “Father and Son and Holy Spirit”). And so, our baptisms remind us that Jesus has this authority both with reference to His eternal godhood, and with reference to His finished and perfect work as the Redeemer.

When He marks of His holy assembly with this particular sign in this particular Name, we can see that He is saying: “it depends upon My power.” And when He follows by saying, “and lo, I am with you always,” we can hear that it depends upon His faithfulness. That is wonderful news for those whose weakness and unfaithfulness would lead to ultimate failure!

Jesus answers our weakness by His strength in His gospel signs and words.

Of course, this doesn’t mean that we need not do anything. It rather means the exact opposite: that we must do everything. He has marked us as His own, and as those to whom He has committed His power. We ought to obey all His commands merely because we are His creatures, and then again because He has bought us by His blood, and now again because He has marked us off as holy and set apart to Him! Therefore, disciples must be taught to “observe all things I have commanded you.”

Thus, we realize that baptism is not a statement by the new disciple, but by the Lord of the disciples, through those whom He has commanded to mark and teach them. It is a mark that is displayed anew to the holy assembly, whenever it is being applied to a new addition to that assembly. In it, our Lord presents Himself and His Spirit for the worship of His people!

Who is “saying something” in baptism? What is He saying? How are you responding?

Sample prayer:  Lord, thank You for giving us baptism as a sign of Your authority and power to make us into disciples, and to make those whom we teach and baptize into disciples. Forgive us for whenever we are self-reliant in evangelistic work, or when we are neglectful of evangelistic work. Grant that we would keep teaching, keep baptizing, and keep trusting that You will be with us to use these for making disciples of Christ, we ask in His Name, AMEN!

Suggested songs: ARP111A “O Praise the LORD” or TPH424 “All Authority and Power”

The Glory of the Lord’s Day [2026.03.01 Morning Sermon in Matthew 28:1–15]

The risen Lord Jesus prepares us for the glory of the Day of the Lord by the experience of His glory every Lord's Day.

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The First Lord's Day [Family Worship lesson in Matthew 28:1–15]

What gives joy and banishes terror? Matthew 28:1–15 looks forward to the morning sermon in the holy assembly on the coming Lord’s Day. In these fifteen verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that, since we all must encounter the Lord, only belonging to Him can give us lasting joy and banish terror.(click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson) Summary of the transcript of the audio: Matthew 28:1–15 presents the day of the resurrection of Jesus as the inauguration of a new Sabbath, the Lord’s Day, which fulfills and transforms the original creation Sabbath by centering on the living, glorified Christ rather than mere commemoration. The passage reveals that this day is not merely a memorial but a foretaste of eternal glory, where believers encounter the risen Lord with both reverent fear and profound joy, in contrast to unbelievers, like the guards, for whom encountering Christ is cause for terror. The central message is that the Lord’s Day is consecrated for worship, proclamation, and fellowship with Christ, just as the women are commissioned to announce the resurrection, affirming Christ’s fulfilled promises and His ongoing presence. This day is defined by the faithful proclamation of the crucified and risen Savior, a duty entrusted to the church, while those who suppress the truth—like the bribed guards—demonstrate the spiritual blindness that will one day lead to horror, in the face of final judgment. Ultimately, the resurrection transforms the first day of the week into a sacred anticipation of the final day, when believers will behold Christ in full glory and be welcomed by Him in eternal joy.

2026.02.28 Hopewell @Home ▫ Matthew 28:1–15

Read Matthew 28:1–15

Questions from the Scripture text: What day was it after (Matthew 28:1)? But what day was it now? What time had already begun? Who came to see what? What occurred (Matthew 28:2)? Why–who had done what? What was he doing? What did he look like (Matthew 28:3)? What had happened to the guards (Matthew 28:4)? But what does he tell the women not to do (Matthew 28:5)? What does he know? Where does he say that Jesus isn’t (Matthew 28:6)? Why? What does he invite them to do? What does he tell them to do then (Matthew 28:7)? Where are they to tell the disciples that Jesus is going? And who will see Him there? How do the women respond (Matthew 28:8)? Who meets them, on the way to the disciples (Matthew 28:9)? What does He command them? How do they respond? What is His next command (Matthew 28:10)? And His third? What is happening at the same time (Matthew 28:11)? To whom do the guard go? With whom do the chief priests gather (Matthew 28:12)? What do they give to the soldiers? What story do they command (Matthew 28:13)? But what if the soldiers are in danger, on account of having failed (Matthew 28:14)? So what do the soldiers do (Matthew 28:15)? With what result?

What gives joy and banishes terror? Matthew 28:1–15 looks forward to the morning sermon in the holy assembly on the coming Lord’s Day. In these fifteen verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that, since we all must encounter the Lord, only belonging to Him can give us lasting joy and banish terror.

It’s a new Sabbath; the Sabbath has passed, but the first Sabbath has dawned (Matthew 28:1). 

Everyone is going to have to encounter Jesus and His glory. We have a microcosm of that in our passage, and the parties couldn’t be more opposite.

First, we have the women: Mary Magdalene and the other Mary (Matthew 28:1). They were among the “many women” of Matthew 27:55, and they had been among those who observed the burial in Matthew 27:59–61. 

Over-against the women, we have the guards. Men. Strong enough to be soldiers for a living. Trained. With the authority of the government behind them.

But their experiences couldn’t have been more different. The guards shake for fear and are paralyzed (Matthew 28:4). They have to report their failure to their bosses (Matthew 28:11), but then they take a large sum of money to tell a lie (Matthew 28:12-13) that puts them into potential danger with the governor (Matthew 28:14). 

The women, however, have an opposite experience of the angel. The angel’s power (Matthew 28:2) and glory (Matthew 28:3) are marshaled to their comfort: “do not be afraid” (Matthew 28:5). His message is one of gladness for them, “He is not here, for He is risen” (Matthew 28:6). And His assignment is for them to tell others the wonderful truth (Matthew 28:7). All of this  leaves them not with the terror of the guards, but with reverential fear that is accompanied by great joy (Matthew 28:8)!

If the guards couldn’t withstand their encounter with the angel, how would they do with the second encounter that the women had: Jesus Himself.

He gives them a cheery greeting (Matthew 28:9; it’s the same as “greetings” in Matthew 26:49 and “hail” in Matthew 27:29), and they hurry to worship Him. Again, He tells them not to fear (Matthew 28:10). 

It begs the question, for you, dear reader, “What will it be like for you to encounter the glories of heaven? What will it be like for you to encounter Jesus Himself?”

The women’s two encounters lead us to an assignment that brings our own experience of Christ to the forefront. 

It is not as if a second interview, with Jesus Himself, was necessary for them to fulfill the assignment of telling the disciples that Jesus is risen, and that they are to meet Him in Galilee (Matthew 28:7). They were already going quickly, with great joy, and running (Matthew 28:8).

But, they do get a second interview, with Jesus Himself (Matthew 28:9-10). In this interview, Jesus gives the same exact message that they were already eagerly carrying. In doing so, He refers to the disciples as “My brethren.” Here is the key to joy and the banishing of fear: being Christ’s own dear ones, Christ’s own brethren.

And that’s what Jesus is preparing us for. That’s what He’s going to commission His apostles to do, when they see Him in Galilee: to make disciples. And, the Spirit urgently calls our attention to that by the double setup for that interview in our current passage. 

The Lord give you to love Him, to believe in Him, to take comfort from His death, and confidence from His resurrection. The Lord give you to anticipate seeing Him with joy and not with terror.

What will it be like for you to encounter the glories of heaven? What will it be like for you to encounter Jesus Himself?

Sample prayer:  Lord, thank You for giving to women, then to apostles, then to others, and eventually to us, the good news of Your death on account of our sins, and Your resurrection on account of our justification. Give us to look forward with joy to seeing You and having You greet us. And give us to tell others, and to be used in Your making them into disciples too, we ask through Christ, AMEN!

Suggested Songs: ARP24 “The Earth and the Riches” or TPH259 “O Lord, How Shall I Meet You”

Sovereignly Saving Providence [2026.02.22 Morning Sermon in Matthew 27:55–56]

God uses the insignificant, the unlikely, and even His enemies, in accomplishing His salvation and applying it to us.

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Sovereign Providence in Salvation [Family Worship lesson in Matthew 27:55–66]

Whom does the Lord use to prepare and assure of His resurrection? Matthew 27:55–66 looks forward to the morning sermon in the holy assembly on the coming Lord’s Day. In these twelve verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that the Lord uses faithful but unheralded servants, and even the most earnest efforts of His enemies, to prepare His resurrection and assure us of it.(click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson) Summary of the transcript of the audio: This passage reveals God’s sovereign providence in orchestrating even the most unlikely individuals and adversarial actions to confirm the resurrection of Christ. Though overlooked by society—such as the faithful women who ministered to Jesus and the otherwise unknown Joseph of Arimathea—God uses them to fulfill His redemptive purposes, demonstrating that true significance lies not in public recognition but in faithful service. Even the chief priests and Pharisees, seeking to prevent claims of resurrection by securing the tomb with a guard and seal, inadvertently strengthen historical confidence about its reality, leaving only one possible explanation of the empty tomb. The passage calls believers to humility, diligence, and contentment, trusting God to glorify His Name.

2026.02.21 Hopewell @Home ▫ Matthew 27:55–66

Read Matthew 27:55–66

Questions from the Scripture text: How many women were there (Matthew 27:55)? How did they get there? What had they been doing all that time? What were they doing now? Which ones were specifically mentioned (Matthew 27:56)? Who came at what time (Matthew 27:57)? What had he become? To whom did he go (Matthew 27:58)? For what did he ask? What did Pilate command? What did Joseph first do with the body? Where did he lay it (Matthew 27:60)? What did he do to the tomb? Who was there, doing what (Matthew 27:61)? Who came, on what day, to whom (Matthew 27:62)? What did they remember He had said (Matthew 27:63)? What did they ask Pilate to do (Matthew 27:64)? Lets what should occur? How did Pilate respond (Matthew 27:65)? And what did the chief priests and Pharisees do (Matthew 27:66)? 

Whom does the Lord use to prepare and assure of His resurrection? Matthew 27:55–66 looks forward to the morning sermon in the holy assembly on the coming Lord’s Day. In these twelve verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that the Lord uses faithful but unheralded servants, and even the most earnest efforts of His enemies, to prepare His resurrection and assure us of it.

In this passage, we learn, in an offhand comment, of a cohort of women who have been serving Christ (Matthew 27:55). And, we hear of Joseph of Arimathea for the first and last time. Both are courageous and steady and faithful. His service is very straightforward: take the body, wrap it, inter it, secure it, leave. Such humble, unheralded service may be used much by the Lord. Also, the collaboration of Pilate and the Jewish leaders is used by God. They thought that resurrection was impossible, and labored to prevent the claim of it. But, they made it so that only genuine resurrection could succeed, thus assuring that this is what happened. Behold the sovereignty of your God in all things, but especially in preparing for, and assuring us of, the historicity of Christ’s resurrection!

What unheralded service has the Lord given you to do? How are you doing it with steady courage and faithfulness?

Sample prayer:  Lord, thank You for how You use courages, steady faithfulness of unheralded saints. And thank You for assuring us of Christ’s resurrection. Give us to be courageous and faithful, we ask in His Name, AMEN!

Suggested Songs: ARP30 “O LORD, I Will Exalt You” or TPH16A “Preserve Me, O My God” 

Truly, This Is the Son of God! [2026.02.15 Morning Sermon in Matthew 27:45–54]

We must respond to Christ's once-for-all sacrifice with awe, acknowledgement, faith, holiness, and witness.

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Truly This Is the Son of God [Family Worship lesson in Matthew 27:45–54]

What did Jesus do as Priest? Matthew 27:45–54 looks forward to the morning sermon in the holy assembly on the coming Lord’s Day. In these ten verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that Jesus propitiated God’s wrath, an offers a once-for-all sacrifice, opening the way for us into the Holy of Holies. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson) Summary of the transcript of the audio: Matthew 27:45–54 reveals Jesus, as the true Son of God and Great High Priest, Who willingly bears the full wrath of God for His people's sin—fulfilling the sacrificial system once and for all. Though mocked by humanity and taken lightly by onlookers, creation itself responds with awe—darkness, an earthquake, the torn temple veils and resurrected saints—testifying to the cosmic significance of Christ’s atoning death. The centurion and his guards, witnessing these supernatural events, are gripped with fear and confess, 'Truly this was the Son of God,' illustrating that genuine recognition of Christ’s identity comes not from human reasoning but from divine revelation and the Holy Spirit’s work. Jesus’s final cry, drawn from Psalm 22, reflects both His deep suffering and His intimate knowledge of God’s redemptive plan, culminating in His deliberate surrender of His spirit, affirming His divine authority to lay down and take up His life. The tearing of the temple veil from top to bottom signifies that Christ has opened the way into the true Holy of Holies. This all calls all believers to respond with holy fear, faith, and worship, recognizing Jesus as the eternal High Priest, in Whom alone we are holy and fit to approach God.

2026.02.14 Hopewell @Home ▫ Matthew 27:45–54

Read Matthew 27:45–54

Questions from the Scripture text: During what hours did what happen (Matthew 27:45)? At that point, how does Jesus cry (Matthew 27:46)? What does Jesus cry? What do some bystanders say about this (Matthew 27:47)? What does one do (Matthew 27:48)? What do the rest say (Matthew 27:49)? What two things does Jesus then do (Matthew 27:50)? What three signs occur in Matthew 27:51? And what great sign in Matthew 27:52-53? Who observe these things (Matthew 27:54)? What effect does this have upon them? What do they say? 

What does Jesus do as Priest? Matthew 27:45–54 looks forward to the morning sermon in the holy assembly on the coming Lord’s Day. In these ten verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that Jesus propitiates God’s wrath, an offers a once-for-all sacrifice, opening the way for us into the Holy of Holies.

Though wicked men collude to mock Christ at His cross (Matthew 27:27-44, cf. Psalm 2), the creation responds both to His suffering (Matthew 27:45) and His death (Matthew 27:51-53). Jesus uses what strength remains at the end for a cry (Matthew 27:46) that both expresses His experience, and identifies it as a fulfillment of Psalm 22. Sympathetic bystanders are severely outnumbered (Matthew 27:47-49), but Jesus authoritatively dismisses His Spirit (Matthew 27:50), completing the once-for-all sacrifice that obsoletes the ceremonial law (Matthew 27:51a), opening the way to the true holy of holies, where He will serve as priest, upon the merits of His blood, forever. An unsympathetic people are redeemed by a sympathetic High Priest!

Does your response to Christ’s cross most resemble vain curiosity, sympathy, or believing wonder?

Sample prayer:  Lord, thank You for offering the once-for-all sacrifice for us. Make us know that You are truly the Son of God, make our hearts tender, and bring us all the way to God with You, we ask in Your Name, AMEN!

 Suggested Songs: ARP22B “Be Not Far Off” or TPH341 “Alas! And Did My Savior Bleed”

Against YHWH and His Christ [2026.02.08 Morning Sermon in Matthew 27:26–44]

Though all of Adam's kind resist God and His Son, the Anointed King, God saves His elect, through overwhelming power and authority. To be saved, we must yield to Him and rest upon Him.

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An Overpowering Salvation [Family Worship lesson in Matthew 27:26–44]

How must we respond to the dying Christ? Matthew 27:26–54 looks forward to the morning sermon in the holy assembly on the coming Lord’s Day. In these twenty-nine verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that we must respond to the dying Christ by abandoning all resistance to Him, and trusting Him Who ruled over all things to die for us. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson) Summary of the transcript of the audio: The devotional centers on Jesus's divine kingship and sonship, amid relentless mockery and resistance from Roman soldiers, passersby, and religious leaders. Pastor highlights humanity’s innate rebellion against God’s authority, rooted in unregenerate hearts that demand signs or rational justifications before believing. Yet, in sovereign providence, even the smallest details—such as the casting of lots for His garments, the use of sour wine mixed with gall, and the conscription of Simon of Cyrene—are shown to be divinely orchestrated for redemptive purposes. Jesus’s refusal of the pain-numbing drink reflects His intentional, conscious sacrifice, maintaining full mental clarity to fulfill His mission of atonement, evangelism, and care for others even in agony. Ultimately, the devotional calls believers to abandon skeptical resistance, to 'kiss the Son' in faith, and to trust in Christ for salvation and blessing. The tone is both convicting and comforting, urging repentance while affirming God’s faithful, meticulous work in salvation..

2026.02.07 Hopewell @Home ▫ Matthew 27:26–44

Read Matthew 27:26–44

Questions from the Scripture text: Whom did Pilate release (Matthew 27:26)? What did he do with Jesus? What did the soldiers do to Jesus in Matthew 27:27? What did they do to Him in Matthew 27:28? What did they do to Him in Matthew 27:29? How did they mock Him? What did they do to Him in Matthew 27:30? What did they finally get around to doing in Matthew 27:31? Whom do they find in Matthew 27:32? What do they compel him to do? To what place do they come (Matthew 27:33)? What do they give Him (Matthew 27:34)? But what does He do with it? What do they do to Jesus in Matthew 27:35? And with His garments? Why (cf. Psalm 22:18)? What do they proceed to do (Matthew 27:36)? What do they put over His head (Matthew 27:37)? Whom do they add in Matthew 27:38? What do passers-by do (Matthew 27:39)? Saying what (Matthew 27:40)? Who else join (Matthew 27:41)? Saying what (Matthew 27:42)? What do they say that they will do, in what circumstance? How else do they mock (Matthew 27:43)? Who joins all of this mocking (Matthew 27:44)? 

How must we respond to the dying Christ? Matthew 27:26–54 looks forward to the morning sermon in the holy assembly on the coming Lord’s Day. In these twenty-nine verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that we must respond to the dying Christ by abandoning all resistance to Him, and trusting Him Who ruled over all things to die for us.

For the soldiers, it was not enough to crucify Jesus as assigned (Matthew 27:26). They show that their participation in the spirit of Psalm 2:1–3 by the extra effort for mockery in Matthew 27:29-31.  

But the Lord is also going above and beyond. Simon is compelled to carry the cross to Golgotha, and later his sons, Alexander and Rufus, are known both to Mark (cf. Mark 15:21) and Paul (cf. Romans 16:13) as eminent believers. Though not via His humanity, the Lord Jesus is working here to bring His elect, literally, to behold Him and His cross. Furthermore, the Lord Jesus rejects the pain-numbing cocktail in Matthew 27:34, insisting upon enduring the cross as clear-mindedly as possible. Seemingly random details fulfill prophecy, demonstrating that the Lord is sovereignly superintending all of this (Matthew 27:35, cf. Acts 4:24–28). 

Finally, Matthew 27:36-44 pull together all parts of humanity in their Psalm 2:1–3 collusion. The soldiers, the passers-by, the chief priests and scribes and elders, even the robbers who were crucified with Him. Be careful that you do not join them, dear reader, with demands of what sign from Jesus would convince us to believe. They said, “let Him now come down from the cross, and we will believe Him” (Matthew 27:42). The Lord Jesus is in the midst of giving the fullest demonstration that He is God, Who came to die for sinners, and they are setting terms of faith. Don’t set terms, dear reader. Trust in the dying God-Man to be your Savior!

When do you find yourself doubting Christ? Whom would you be joining if you do? What do you need to do instead? Where must you get the grace to do so? 

Sample prayer:  Lord Jesus, thank You for ruling and overruling all things to die for us. Forgive us, for we often are sluggish to believe, or even resistant. Don’t let us join the nations that rage, and the kings and peoples that plot in vain. Make us those who kiss the Son, those blessed who trust in Him, we ask in His Name, AMEN!

 Suggested Songs: ARP2 “Why Do Gentile Nations Rage” or TPH341 “Alas! And Did My Savior Bleed”

His Blood Be Upon Us [2026.02.01 Morning Sermon in Matthew 27:1–25]

Jesus is the true Priest and Elder, the true Governor, and the true Guilt-Bearer.

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The One Who Can Bear Our Guilt [Family Worship lesson in Matthew 27:1–25]

What is Jesus doing in His trial? Matthew 27:1–25 looks forward to the morning sermon in the holy assembly on the coming Lord’s Day. In these twenty-five verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that, in His trial, Jesus is being the true Priest, King, and Bearer of guilt.(click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)Summary of the transcript of the audio: While merely human priests, prophets, and authorities fail, Jesus stands as the perfect Priest, Prophet, and King; and, He is the only able Bearer of human guilt. The tragic outcome for Judas, consumed by ungodly sorrow and self-destruction, underscores the necessity of turning to Christ alone for forgiveness, while the crowd’s cry, 'His blood be on us and on our children,' is answered in Acts 2 with a promise unto them and their children, that Christ’s blood cleanses, rather than condemns, those who repent and believe. Christ's gift of the Holy Spirit gives life for repentance and faith in Christ, through Whom there is forgiveness even for the sin of crucifying the Lord. Ultimately, the passage calls us to embrace Christ as the sole guilt-bearer.

2026.01.31 Hopewell @Home ▫ Matthew 27:1–25

Read Matthew 27:1–25

Questions from the Scripture text: What came in Matthew 27:1? Who plotted to do what? What did they do to Him (Matthew 27:2)? Where did they lead Him? Who saw what in Matthew 27:3? How did he feel? What did he do? What did he say (Matthew 27:4)? How did they respond? How did Judas respond to this (Matthew 27:5)? What did the chief priests say about the money (Matthew 27:6)? What did they do with it (Matthew 27:7)? With what result (Matthew 27:8)? To fulfill what (Matthew 27:9-10)? Where did Jesus stand in Matthew 27:11? What did the governor ask? How does Jesus respond? Who was doing what to Him in Matthew 27:12? What did He answer? What does Pilate ask in Matthew 27:13 (cf. Matthew 26:62)? How does Jesus answer him (Matthew 27:14)? With what effect? What was the governor accustomed to doing at the feast (Matthew 27:15)? What prisoner did they have (Matthew 27:16)? So what does Pilate propose (Matthew 27:17)? Why (Matthew 27:18)? Where was Pilate in Matthew 27:19? Who sent to him? To say what? But who persuaded the multitudes to do what (Matthew 27:20)? What does Pilate repeat in Matthew 27:21? For whom do the people ask? What does Pilate then ask (Matthew 27:22a)? How do they answer (verse 22b)? What does the governor ask in Matthew 27:23a? How do they respond (verse 23b)? What does Pilate see (Matthew 27:24)? What does he do? What does he say? And what do the people say (Matthew 27:25)?

What is Jesus doing in His trial? Matthew 27:1–25 looks forward to the morning sermon in the holy assembly on the coming Lord’s Day. In these twenty-five verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that, in His trial, Jesus is being the true Priest, King, and Bearer of guilt.

The passage presents to us several glimpses of Christ by contrast with others.

Jesus the chief priest and elder. These are wicked, seeking to murder Him (Matthew 27:1). They even admit that it is murder by their consideration of what is “lawful” to do with the “blood money” (Matthew 27:6). And they care nothing for the spiritual care of those entrusted to them, as startlingly displayed in their callous “what is that to us?” (Matthew 27:4). Jesus is the Chief Priest Who atones for sin, Who cares for our souls, Who genuinely and perfectly keeps the law. 

Jesus the King. Pilate is a powerless, spineless governor. He knows what is happening (Matthew 27:18). He knows that Jesus is righteous (Matthew 27:23a, Matthew 27:24). But he’s afraid of the people that he’s supposed to be governing, trying to shift the responsibility to them (Matthew 27:17, Matthew 27:21a, Matthew 27:22a, Matthew 27:24). Jesus is the King Who uses His kingly authority to lay down His life for His people.

Jesus the bearer of guilt. Judas couldn’t stand to bear his own guilt (Matthew 27:3, Matthew 27:5), but now he bears it forever. The people call a frightful curse of guilt upon not only themselves, but also their children (Matthew 27:25). The only hope for this guilt (cf. Acts 2:23, Acts 2:36–37) is for His atoning blood (rather than the guilt of killing Him!) to come upon them and their children (cf. Acts 2:38–39).

What need do you have of a priest? How is Jesus that priest for you? What need do you have of a king? How is Jesus that king to you? What need do you have for the removal of guilt? How can Jesus remove that guilt? 

Sample prayer:  Lord, we praise You for Your care for our souls and kingly deliverance. Wash us in Your blood and take our guilt from us, we ask in Your Name, AMEN!

 Suggested Songs: ARP22A “My God, My God” or TPH341 “Alas! And Did My Savior Bleed”

He Cannot Deny Himself [2026.01.25 Morning Sermon in Matthew 26:57–75]

Jesus confessed Himself to be Lord, so that by His grace, we also can

(click here to DOWNLOAD video/mp3/pdf files of this sermon)

Making the Good Confession [Family Worship lesson in Matthew 26:57–75]

What does Jesus do in His trial? Matthew 26:57–75 looks forward to the morning sermon in the holy assembly on the coming Lord’s Day. In these ten verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that, at His trial, Jesus openly confesses Himself to be the Son of God, even as He was giving Himself to die for us. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson) Summary of the transcript of the audio. The devotional centers on the contrasting responses of Jesus and Peter during Jesus’ trial, highlighting Jesus’ unwavering truthfulness under pressure, in stark contrast to Peter’s denials. Christ’s faithfulness remains unshaken even in the face of injustice. Peter’s threefold denial, culminating in bitter weeping, serves as a sobering reminder of human frailty and the danger of fearing man over God, yet it also points to the necessity of relying on Christ as our righteousness and new life. Pastor calls his family to imitate Christ’s trust in God’s justice, to confess Him boldly despite cost, and to look to His Spirit to transform us, so that we may endure suffering with faith and humility, knowing that Christ bore our punishment so we might be made righteous.