Christ's Compassionate Commitment [Family Worship lesson in Matthew 26:47–56]

What does Jesus show about Himself, during His arrest? Matthew 26:47–56 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 displays His commitment to dying on the cross for our sins, and His compassion to even those who are sinning against Him. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson) Summary of the transcript of the audio: In the pivotal moment of His arrest, Jesus demonstrates both unwavering commitment to the divine plan and profound compassion toward those who oppose Him. He confronts Judas with a gentle yet piercing question—‘Friend, why have you come?’—offering a final opportunity for repentance, even as He fulfills the Scriptures that foretold His betrayal. To Peter, who draws his sword in misguided defense, Jesus redirects him from fleshly defenses to submission to authority that entrusts himself to God and the fulfillment of God's Word. To the mob, He challenges their actions with rhetorical questions, reminding them of His daily teaching in the temple and calling them to reflect on their sin in light of Who Jesus is, and what the Scriptures have said about Him. In each encounter, Jesus turns the moment into an act of compassionate evangelism, inviting all—Judas, Peter, and the crowd—to consider who He is, what He has done, and the divine purpose behind His suffering. His resolve is rooted in Scripture, and the compassion of One Who goes to the cross to save sinners.

2026.01.17 Hopewell @Home ▫ Matthew 26:47–56

Read Matthew 26:47–56

Questions from the Scripture text: What was Jesus doing (Matthew 26:47, cf. Matthew 26:46)? Who came? With whom? What had he given them (Matthew 26:48)? What was this sign? What did he say to do to Him? To whom does Judas go (Matthew 26:49)? What does he say? What does he do to Him? What does Jesus ask him (Matthew 26:50)? What did the mob do? But what did one of those with Jesus do (Matthew 26:51)? Striking whom? With what effect? What does Jesus tell him to do (Matthew 26:52)? Why? What could Jesus Himself had done (Matthew 26:53)? What rhetorical question does He ask in Matthew 26:54? What is the implied answer? Whom does Jesus address in Matthew 26:55? What does He ask them? What is He calling them to reflect upon? What hadn’t they done? Why does He say that this has happened in this particular way (Matthew 26:56)? What do the disciples do at this point?

What does Jesus show about Himself, during His arrest? Matthew 26:47–56 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 displays His commitment to dying on the cross for our sins, and His compassion to even those who are sinning against Him.

Jesus’s commitment. Jesus’s prayers have been answered. No, the cup has not passed from Him. Indeed, the Scriptures said that salvation must happen this way (cf. Isaiah 52:13–53:12), and here we see Him absolutely determined to go in the manner written of Him.

Jesus emphasizes that this is what He is doing, when He calls Judas “friend” (Matthew 26:50) in allusion to Psalm 41:9, Psalm 55:13.

And Jesus demonstrates is resolve when He rebukes (Matthew 26:52) His obviously unskilled (Matthew 26:51) defender. It was necessary for Him to die, not by the sword but by the cross. He was not about to be taken on account of being overpowered (Matthew 26:53), but on account of submission to Scripture (Matthew 26:54). Indeed, His own reference to Zechariah 13:7 is here fulfilled (Matthew 26:56, cf. Matthew 26:31). 

The Lord Jesus was committed to going to the cross.

Jesus’s compassion. Even in the midst of being betrayed, Jesus ministers to three different parties. First, He confronts Judas with his intentions. Jesus isn’t actually wondering about Judas. He knows exactly why Judas is here (Matthew 26:46). Rather, as God did with Adam (cf. Genesis 3:9, Genesis 3:11), Jesus is confronting Judas with his sin, giving him opportunity to come to repentance.

Second, He instructs His disciple defender. This fisherman is such a poor swordsman that, in his attempt to dispatch what would have had to be the first of a multitude of assailants, he succeeded only in lopping off a servant’s ear. Jesus rebukes this misguided defense (Matthew 26:52), encourages him to think more fully and spiritually (Matthew 26:53), but especially to submit to the Scriptures and the will of God. This is not just a command to yield to whatever God has decided, but a call to meditate upon the necessity of the atonement of Christ, the Just dying for the unjust.

Third, Jesus instructs he crowd. Their actions should have embarrassed them and made them question what they were doing. It was obvious that He was not the sort of person who merited the response and actions that they were taking (Matthew 26:55). Their not being able to recognize him without Judas’s sign (Matthew 26:48) indicated that these had never gone to hear Him preach, for they could not identify Him, and He confronts them with that fact in Matthew 26:55. They were not familiar with His words, preached during His earthly life; nor, did they understand His words by the prophets (Matthew 26:56). In love, Jesus confronts us about our failure to worship Him, trust Him, and entrust ourselves to Him, by urging upon us the importance of hearing and heeding His words!

How are you showing your commitment to being saved only in the way that God has said? What is that way? How are you responding to Jesus? What use are you making of the Scriptures, by which He teaches you about you and Himself?

Sample prayer:  Lord, thank You for being determined to go to the cross for us, and indeed for going to that cross and dying for our sins. And thank You for the compassion in which You keep instructing us, so that we would worship You, and trust You, and entrust ourselves to You. By the ministry of Your Spirit, give us to do just that, we ask in Your Name, AMEN!

 Suggested Songs: ARP41B “All Those Who Hate Me” or TPH55 “O Hear My Cry for Mercy, God” 

How to Do All You Do [Family Worship lesson in Proverbs 16:2–4]

Pastor teaches his family a selection from “the Proverb of the day.” In these three verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that we should live according to God’s Word, trusting God’s providence, and for God’s glory.(click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson) This devotional, from Proverbs 16:2–4, calls believers to align their lives with God’s will. It emphasizes that human intentions, though often perceived as pure, must be evaluated by God, who alone discerns the heart’s true motives, urging humility and dependence on Scripture and the Holy Spirit. The call to commit one’s works to the Lord reflects a trust not in personal wisdom or effort, but in God’s sovereign purpose, Who works all things according to His will. Even the existence of the wicked is ultimately for God’s glory, pointing to the ultimate aim of the believer's life: to glorify God not through judgment, but through eternal enjoyment and delight in Him. The message is both convicting and comforting, calling for a lifelong transformation of heart and action, rooted in grace and sustained by faith.

Beauty of the Perfected Bride [Family Worship lesson in Song of Songs 4:1–7]

How beautiful is the church on her wedding day? Song of Songs 4:1–7 prepares us for the evening sermon on the coming Lord’s Day. In these seven verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that, on their wedding day, the Lord will have made His church faultlessly beautiful with His own beauty. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson) Summary of the transcript of the audio: Song of Songs 4:1–7 portrays the Bridegroom’s profound love for His bride on their wedding day. Central to the message is the perfection of the bride—her beauty now complete, spotless, and fully aligned with Christ, reflecting the ultimate sanctification of the church (and her members) at the consummation of history. Through vivid imagery—dove’s eyes, flowing hair, flawless teeth, blushing temples, a royal neck, and nurturing breasts—the devotional unpacks how each feature symbolizes spiritual maturity: purity of understanding, humility, faith, modesty, dignity, and the ability to nourish others. These attributes are not mere physical descriptions but spiritual realities fulfilled in the Church’s union with Christ, culminating in His presenting her to Himself without spot or wrinkle. Pastor calls his family to long for and labor toward this perfected state, both personally and corporately, as a response to Christ’s redemptive work and a longing for His return, when the Church will be fully glorified and united with Him in eternal joy.

2026.01.16 Hopewell @Home ▫ Song of Songs 4:1–7

Read Song of Songs 4:1–7

Questions from the Scripture text: What does the Bridegroom say to His bride (Song of Songs 4:1a)? How many times (verse 1b)? What does He compliment in verse 1c? And in verse 1d–e? And in Song of Songs 4:2? What does He say about them? And in Song of Songs 4:3a? What does He say about them? And in verse 3b? And verse 3c–d? What does He say about them? And in Song of Songs 4:4? What does He say about it? And in Song of Songs 4:5? What does He say about them? Where does He say that He will go (Song of Songs 4:6c–d, cf. Song of Songs 3:6)? Until when (Song of Songs 4:6a–b)? What does He say about her in Song of Songs 4:7 (cf. Ephesians 5:27)? 

How beautiful is the church on her wedding day? Song of Songs 4:1–7 prepares us for the evening sermon on the coming Lord’s Day. In these seven verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that, on their wedding day, the Lord will have made His church faultlessly beautiful with His own beauty. 

Song of Songs 4:1–5:1 take us into the conversation between the Bridegroom and the bride on their wedding day. In these seven verses, He praises her and declares His intentions to her, leading up to the invitation in Song of Songs 4:8. The inclusio in Song of Songs 4:1a–b and Song of Songs 4:7 declares her beauty. It is to the latter verse that Ephesians 5:27 refers, when describing the end goal of all Christ’s work in His bride. In Song of Songs 4:1-5, He focuses on many aspects of this beauty that He is producing in the church. The dove’s eyes (Song of Songs 4:1c) we have seen already in Song of Songs 1:15, signifying Spirit-given innocence, especially in seeing and knowing the Lord Jesus. The hair (Song of Songs 4:1d–e) being most indicative of adornment, with respect to the church must especially refer to her good works and godliness, as the apostles understood (cf. 1 Timothy 2:9–10; 1 Peter 3:3–4). The teeth (Song of Songs 4:2) have reference especially to feeding, and in the church’s case, especially the faith by which we take Christ and receive and appropriate Him to ourselves; in this case, the bride’s faith is eager (verse 2a) and clean (verse 2b) and fruitful (verse 2c–d). The lips for speaking (Song of Songs 4:3a), and the mouth for singing and kissing (verse 3b), refer to the church’s beautiful communications to her Bridegroom, which she does with the beautiful modesty and humility of one who blushes appropriately (verse 3c–d). Song of Songs 4:4 makes its own elaboration upon the neck, focusing upon its strength, strong necks being indicative of nobility and royalty. The breasts (Song of Songs 4:5) are part of the loveliness of a wife to her husband, on this her wedding day—their beauty being especially the promise of nourishing their children. Here is the church’s aptness to edify, giving the pure spiritual milk of the Word (cf. 1 Peter 2:2). This capacity for edification is obtained from her Beloved, the Shepherd, as He feeds His flock (Song of Songs 4:5c, cf. Song of Songs 2:16b). He has beautified her, and overcome the distance between them, answering her prayer (Song of Songs 4:6a–b, cf. Song of Songs 2:17). The mountains are now the mountains of her likeness to Him (Song of Songs 4:6c–d, cf. Song of Songs 3:6c–d). Her great beauty is her likeness to Him, and He will delight in her forever!

What is beautiful to Christ? How can you obtain it and grow in it? What may you look forward to by it?

Sample prayer:  Lord, thank You for loving us and giving yourself up for us, to cleanse us by the washing of water of Your Word. Continue Your Work in us, until You present us faultless to Yourself on the last day, we ask in Your Name, AMEN!

Suggested songs: ARP45B “Daughter, Incline Your Ear” or TPH471 “The Sands of Time Are Sinking” 

Living in Light of His Sight [Family Worship lesson in Proverbs 15:3]

Pastor teaches his family a selection from “the Proverb of the day.” In this verse of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that we should live in light of the fact that God sees all things, works in all things, and judges all things. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson) Summary of the transcript of the audio: The devotional meditates on the fact that God’s eyes are everywhere, constantly observing both the wicked and the righteous with perfect knowledge and divine purpose. This truth humbles humanity by emphasizing our limited perception and calling us to trust in God’s understanding rather than our own. It comforts believers, knowing that even evil is under God’s sovereign control and ultimately serves His plan, while also encouraging the righteous, who are upheld and empowered by His grace to do good. God avenges the righteous and rewards their faithful deeds as fruits of union with Christ. Living in the awareness of His ever-present gaze fosters peace, joy, diligence, and holy devotion, as all actions are done in His sight and for His glory.

Trust Only in God But Live Wisely [Family Worship lesson in Ecclesiastes 10:8–10]

What is the use of wisdom? Ecclesiastes 10:8–10 prepares us for the hearing of God’s Word, publicly read, in the holy assembly on the coming Lord’s Day. In these three verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that wisdom doesn’t guarantee desired outcomes, but rather serves God well, as it submits to His providence. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson) The devotional explores the tension between human effort and divine providence, emphasizing that neither righteousness nor wisdom guarantees the outcomes we seek. It illustrates how God’s sovereignty often thwarts sinful intentions—such as a man falling into the pit he digs—while also allowing hardships to afflict even the innocent, like those quarrying stones or splitting wood. Yet, amid this uncertainty, the preacher affirms that wisdom is not futile; rather, it is useful, as a sharpened axe requires less strength and reduces danger, reflecting the value of preparation and prudence. The faithful response is not passive resignation but a balanced trust in God’s providence coupled with diligent, thoughtful living. Ultimately, believers are called to honor God in both their dependence on Him and their responsible stewardship of wisdom, knowing that true success lies not in achievement but in sovereign providence.

2026.01.15 Hopewell @Home ▫ Ecclesiastes 10:8–10

Read Ecclesiastes 10:8–10

Questions from the Scripture text: What happens to the man who digs a pit in Ecclesiastes 10:8a? And what happens to the man who breaks through a wall in verse 8b? What happens to the one who quarries stones in Ecclesiastes 10:9a? And to the one who splits the wood in verse 9b? Especially if what is true of the ax (Ecclesiastes 10:10a–b)? Why (verse 10c)? So, what must one have (verse 10d)?

What is the use of wisdom? Ecclesiastes 10:8–10 prepares us for the hearing of God’s Word, publicly read, in the holy assembly on the coming Lord’s Day. In these three verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that wisdom doesn’t guarantee desired outcomes, but rather serves God well, as it submits to His providence. 

It is not only the conduct of kings that leads to results that are opposite what we intended (Ecclesiastes 10:5-7). In God’s wise, but inscrutable, providence, this happens both to those with evil intentions (Ecclesiastes 10:8) and those who are engaged in ordinary life (Ecclesiastes 10:9-10). Ecclesiastes 10:8a has its parallel in Psalm 7:15. Both this pit-digger, and the wall/hedge breacher, cannot escape the judgment that providence brings upon them. But, the stone quarrier and the wood splitter, who are engaged in ordinary labor, experience similar earthly results. Ecclesiastes 10:10, in comparison to Ecclesiastes 10:8-9, teaches something similar to Ecclesiastes 9:13–18 in comparison to Ecclesiastes 9:11–12. Though God’s providence is sovereign and unpredictable, wisdom is still valuable, under that providence—even such simple wisdom as to use a sharpened ax rather than dull one. Believers must do both: employ wisdom under God’s instruction and service, while trusting and submitting to God’s providence.

What difficult situations are you in? What wisdom should you be exercising in it? To Whom must you trust the result?

Sample prayer:  Lord, forgive us for trying to control or produce the outcomes that we want. Grant unto us cheerful submission to Your providence, as we exercise wisdom in Your service, we ask through Christ, AMEN!

Suggested songs: ARP1 “How Blessed the Man” or TPH131B “Not Haughty Is My Heart”

Each of Us Deserves God's Wrath [Family Worship lesson in Deuteronomy 27:11–26]

What does every sin deserve? Deuteronomy 27:11–26 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 every sin deserves the wrath and curse of God. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson) Summary of the transcript of the audio: This passage presents a solemn covenantal ceremony in which the Levites pronounce curses upon individuals who commit specific abominable sins, ranging from secret idolatry and contempt for parents to exploitation of the vulnerable, sexual perversions, and murder. These curses, delivered in a public, communal setting with the people responding 'Amen' to each, underscore the individual guilt of every human before a holy God, revealing that every sin—especially those hidden in the heart—deserves divine wrath. The final curse, which condemns anyone who fails to uphold the entire law, points to the impossibility of human righteousness and the need for a substitute. The devotional emphasizes that only Christ, who knew no sin, became a curse in our place, bearing the full weight of God’s wrath so that believers might receive His righteousness—making salvation possible only through faith in Christ.

2026.01.14 Hopewell @Home ▫ Deuteronomy 27:11–26

Read Deuteronomy 27:11–26

Questions from the Scripture text: Who commanded whom, when (Deuteronomy 27:11)? Who were to stand, where, to do what, when (Deuteronomy 27:12)? And who were to stand, where, to do what (Deuteronomy 27:13)? Who begin the speaking (Deuteronomy 27:14)? How will they speak? To whom? Whom must they curse in Deuteronomy 27:15? How must the people answer? Whom must they curse in Deuteronomy 27:16? How must the people answer? Whom must they curse in Deuteronomy 27:17? How must the people answer? Whom must they curse in Deuteronomy 27:18? How must the people answer? Whom must they curse in Deuteronomy 27:19? How must the people answer? Whom must they curse in Deuteronomy 27:20? Why? How must the people answer? Whom must they curse in Deuteronomy 27:21? How must the people answer? Whom must they curse in Deuteronomy 27:22? How must the people answer? Whom must they curse in Deuteronomy 27:23? How must the people answer? Whom must they curse in Deuteronomy 27:24? How must the people answer? Whom must they curse in Deuteronomy 27:25? How must the people answer? Whom must they curse in Deuteronomy 27:26? How must the people answer?

What does every sin deserve? Deuteronomy 27:11–26 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 every sin deserves the wrath and curse of God.  

In the conclusion of the first commandment section (cf. Deuteronomy 11:29–32), Moses had commanded this ceremony. Now, he gives the details of the ceremony, which will take place in Joshua 8:30–35. But before the blessings spoken by the six tribes (Deuteronomy 27:12, cf. Deuteronomy 28:1–14), and the curses spoken by the four tribes (Deuteronomy 27:13, cf. Deuteronomy 28:15–68), the Levites lead all Israel in calling curses down upon any individual for his secret sins. That is what all of these sins have in common: they are done in secret, or are easily “gotten away with.” But that is not actually true! YHWH sees all of these sins, and He punishes them.

The Levites represent the people in shouting the curse, but each person affirms the curse for himself with his own “Amen!” 

The first cursed sin is for secret idolatry (Deuteronomy 27:15). False worship is an abomination to YHWH. And it is, ultimately, a matter of the heart, where He alone sees.

The next four cursed sins are for those who disregard others. As in the decalogue, this begins with parents. Just having contempt for them is accursed by God (Deuteronomy 27:16). Also cursed is the deceptive theft of a neighbor’s property (Deuteronomy 27:17) or taking advantage of those who are unable to stand for themselves, and who have no one to stand for them (Deuteronomy 27:18-19). 

The next four cursed sins are violations of the seventh commandment. Sexual sin is almost always committed in secret. These four (Deuteronomy 27:20-23) are some of the most perverted violations, driving home to us how abominable are all sexual sins.

Finally, the last two specifically cursed sins are violations of the sixth commandment. Even if an attack is in secret (Deuteronomy 27:24), or hired out (Deuteronomy 27:25), it is accursed murder before the eyes of YHWH.

The twelfth, and last, curse clarifies that these have all been representative examples. Anyone who does anything to break the law of God is accursed before Him (cf. Galatians 3:10). This is why Christ had to become a curse for us (cf. Galatians 3:13; 2 Corinthians 5:21). 

Dear reader, we must not tolerate sin, even in secret—especially in secret. Secret sins are an abomination, particularly because they are done only unto the face of God. For these, Christ suffered Hell for all of His elect. God forgive us for them, and deliver us from them.

What secret sins are you in most danger of committing? How can you be forgiven of them? How can you be cleansed of them? What means has He given, by which you trust Him to cleanse you?

Sample prayer:  Lord, forgive us for all of our sins, especially for our secret sins. Our secret idolatries. Our secret disregard for others. Our secret corruptions and perversions. Our secret hatred and murder. Cursed is anyone who doesn’t continue in all of Your laws to do them. But Christ has become a curse for us; so, forgive us for His sake, and make us to be like Him, we ask in His Name, AMEN!

Suggested songs: ARP32AB “What Blessedness” or TPH51C “God, Be Merciful to Me”