How God Came to Obey and Suffer [Children's Catechism 47—Theology Simply Explained]

Pastor walks his children through Children's Catechism question 47—especially explaining how the only One good enough to obey, and big enough to suffer Hell, became capable of obedience and of suffering.

Q47. How could the Son of God suffer? Christ, the Son of God, became man that He might obey and suffer in our nature. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson) Summary of the transcript of the audio: The lesson explains that the Son of God could suffer only by becoming truly human. Drawing on Philippians 2 and Galatians 4, it emphasizes that Christ, though eternally God, took on human nature to live a life of perfect obedience and endure hell on the cross. Thus, Christ’s incarnation was essential not only for obedience but for substitutionary atonement, for the redemption of sinners.

Jesus Is Everything to Us [Family Worship lesson in Mark 2:13–22]

Whom does the Lord save and use? Mark 2:13–22 prepares us for the hearing of God’s Word, publicly read, in the holy assembly on the coming Lord’s Day. In these ten verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that the Lord saves and uses those who need Him and delight in Him. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson) Summary of the transcript of the audio: Jesus reveals Himself as the essential qualification for service, salvation, and joy. By calling Levi, a despised tax collector, He demonstrates that true spiritual qualification comes not from moral performance but from union with Him, who transforms lives through His grace. His fellowship with sinners underscored that salvation is for sinners. The disciples’ lack of fasting is not negligence but a proper response to the presence of the Bridegroom—Jesus Himself—whose nearness calls for joy, not fasting.

2026.04.09 Hopewell @Home ▫ Mark 2:13-22

Read Mark 2:13-22

Questions from the Scripture text: Where does Jesus go in Mark 2:13? Who comes to Him? What does He do with them? Where does Jesus see Levi? What does He tell Him to do? When Jesus goes to Levi’s house who else has followed Him? How many of them? Who are surprised that Jesus would eat with tax collectors and sinners? Whom does Jesus say He came to call to repentance? Who are surprised at Jesus’ disciples in Mark 2:18? What does Jesus call Himself in Mark 2:19? How would the friends of the bridegroom feel and act at a wedding? When would those friends fast, according to Jesus? What happens to a tear if you put the wrong kind of patch on it?

Whom does the Lord save and use? Mark 2:13–22 prepares us for the hearing of God’s Word, publicly read, in the holy assembly on the coming Lord’s Day. In these ten verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that the Lord saves and uses those who need Him and delight in Him. 

In the gospel reading this week, the Lord Jesus keeps surprising us.

He surprises us by choosing as one of His disciples a tax collector (Mark 2:14), one of the most hated people among the Jews. He surprises us by welcoming the situation of being surrounded by many tax collectors and sinners (Mark 2:15-17). He surprises us by His response about fasting (Mark 2:18-22). What is He teaching us by all of these surprises?

The first thing that He teaches us is that our usefulness to Him does not depend upon our past before we knew Him. Remember, that so far in Mark, “follow Me,” means “become a trainee in man-fishing” (cf. Mark 1:17). Who is a really good candidate to be used by Christ? Anyone who follows Him. A fisherman who follows Him. A tax collector who follows Him. A sinner who follows Him. Even a scribe or a Pharisee who follows Him. 

Why doesn’t it depend upon what we were before we followed Him? Because it cannot depend upon us. When Jesus says “I did not come to call the righteous” (Mark 2:17). He’s talking about a figment of our self-deceived imaginations. His point is that the reason that He had to come in the first place is that there are no righteous. If we think that we are righteous without Him, we have sadly and terribly misunderstood both ourselves and Him. 

Another, and glorious, thing that Jesus is teaching us is that He has come to be our joy. Those who have misunderstood Sabbath-keeping consider it a burden, a drag, a way that we show God how serious we are about Him by denying ourselves of pleasure (cf. Isaiah 58:1-5). But those who understand it well consider it a most generous gift of most glorious joy, and they imitate Him by becoming generous and joy-giving to others (cf. Isaiah 58:6-14). 

Such an attitude can extend to how we respond to Jesus. We should be rejoicing over Him like a groom’s friends at his wedding (Mark 2:19). Jesus identifies Himself as the Bridegroom of the Song of Songs, and His disciples as the friends of the Bridegroom (cf. Song of Songs 5:1e). There, He had welcomed His friends and beloved ones to eat, and to drink deeply. Rejoicing with Him, over the spiritual fruit that He produces in His church, should be the longing of every believer. We should treasure moments with Him as if we’d been waiting all our lives to share that joy with Him! Of course, His disciples weren’t fasting! And neither should have been John’s or the Pharisees’. 

Do you know when you should fast? When earthly pleasures seem big and Christ seems small, then fast, as you seek His presence, and for Him to be your Pleasure. When, for any reason, He seems distant, then fast after Him. When you are feeling the weightiness of sin and the corruption and decay of this world, and You are longing for His return and the great resurrection, then fast after Him. 

We mustn’t only fast at the right time, but in the right way. We mustn’t think of fasting as a way to make ourselves miserable as a proof of our spirituality. In fact, if we fast in that way, we are telling God that turning aside from earthly things is miserable.

Whom are you more likely to consider incorrectly “not good Christian material”: yourself or others? What are you going to do about that? What kind of day should the Lord’s Day be, and how and why? When have you felt like Christ was distant (perhaps now)? How will you specifically use fasting to turn to Him and long for Him?

Sample prayer:  Lord, thank You for calling and using a tax collector as one of Your apostles. Forgive us, for when we think that usefulness to You depends upon us. And thank You for giving us to have Yourself as our joy. Forgive us for not longing for You more. Grant that we would long for You and fast for You, by Your Spirit, we ask in Christ’s Name, AMEN!

Suggested songs: ARP2 “Why Do Gentile Nations Rage” or TPH151 “Lord of the Sabbath, Hear Us Pray”

A Prophet Like Moses [Family Worship lesson in Deuteronomy 34]

How does Deuteronomy end? Deuteronomy 34 looks forward to the hearing of God’s Word, publicly read, in the holy assembly on the coming Lord’s Day. In these twelve verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that Deuteronomy ends, looking forward to Christ. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson) Summary of the transcript of the audio: The devotional presents a meditation on divine purpose, faithful service, and the ultimate hope found in Christ. It centers on Moses’s final moments—granted a vision of the Promised Land he cannot enter, an example of the partial yet meaningful participation of believers in God’s eternal plan, even when full fulfillment lies beyond their lifetime. The transition to Joshua, empowered by the Spirit through divinely appointed ordination, affirms the biblical doctrine of ordination as a sacred, Spirit-empowered calling rooted in God’s Word, not human preference. Yet the passage culminates in a transcendent expectation: no prophet has arisen like Moses, but the true fulfillment of all prophecy is found in Jesus Christ, Who alone knows God face to face, performs divine signs, and accomplishes redemption through His atoning sacrifice and resurrection. Thus, the entire narrative points beyond all human instruments to Christ as the sole source of hope, the author and finisher of God’s redemptive work, and the ultimate object of faith.

2026.04.08 Hopewell @Home ▫ Deuteronomy 34

Read Deuteronomy 34

Questions from the Scripture text: Who went up, from where, to where, to the top of where, across from where (Deuteronomy 34:1)? Who showed him what (Deuteronomy 34:1-3)? Who spoke to him (Deuteronomy 34:4)? How did He describe it? What has He caused Moses to do? What will Moses not do? What does Deuteronomy 34:5 call Moses? What did he do? Where? According to what? What did God then do to him (Deuteronomy 34:6)? Where? What doesn’t anyone know? How old was he (Deuteronomy 34:7)? But what had not happened? How did the children of Israel respond (Deuteronomy 34:8)? For how long? Who was full of what (Deuteronomy 34:9)? How had this happened? What did Israel do with him? In accordance with what? What has not happened since then (Deuteronomy 34:10, cf. Deuteronomy 18:15–18)? What was unique about Moses? How had YHWH testified to this uniqueness (Deuteronomy 34:11-12)? 

How does Deuteronomy end? Deuteronomy 34 looks forward to the hearing of God’s Word, publicly read, in the holy assembly on the coming Lord’s Day. In these twelve verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that Deuteronomy ends, looking forward to Christ.  

The book ends with amazement at the effectiveness and honor that the Lord had given to Moses. 

Though, he is not permitted to enter the land (Deuteronomy 34:4b), he has been given the privilege of being the one through whom all this land (Deuteronomy 34:1-3) is given in fulfillment of God’s covenant promise (Deuteronomy 34:4a). 

Moses gets to see the land, then he dies—not of old age or diminished power (Deuteronomy 34:7b), but according to the decree of God. God Himself buries him (Deuteronomy 34:6—can there be a stronger commendation of Christian burial?). YHWH was (is!) his face-to-face friend (Deuteronomy 34:10b). 

But the main thrust of the passage is looking forward. This is true in a small sense with Joshua. He has been ordained to succeed Moses (Deuteronomy 34:9, cf. Numbers 27:18–23; Deuteronomy 31:1–8, Deuteronomy 31:14, Deuteronomy 31:23), and indeed the Lord uses him to lead Israel into the land, take possession of it, and allot it to the tribes. 

Yet,  the big sense in which the passage looks forward is that it is still looking forward to the “prophet like Moses” (Deuteronomy 34:10a, cf. Deuteronomy 18:15–18). 

YHWH knew Moses face to face (v10b), but Jesus is the One Who faces God from all eternity (cf. John 1:2, more literally translated), and Who is the face of God to us (cf. John 14:8–9, 2 Corinthians 4:5–6). 

YHWH used Moses to redeem by great signs and wonders (Deuteronomy 34:11), but Jesus came working many mightier signs (cf. John 7:31), and is Himself the great sign, as the resurrected One (cf. Matthew 12:39–40; Luke 11:30). 

YHWH used Moses to impress upon Israel the awe of God (Deuteronomy 34:12).  But it is through Jesus Himself that men are brought by grace into the fear of the Lord, and fully know Him (cf. John 1:17–18). 

Deuteronomy concludes, straining forward to Christ, teaching us to rejoice in Him in Whom we know the Lord Himself, in Him Who has redeemed us by signs and wonders, in Him Who brings us into true fear of the Lord. We should come away from Deuteronomy longing for Him. This is how we should come away from all of Scripture.

How has the Lord given you to know Him? To serve Him? To fear Him? Who is the Leader of your church? How does He lead it?

Sample prayer: Lord, thank You for giving Moses to Your people of old, and then Joshua after him. But thank You, far more, for giving to us Christ to be our Prophet, Priest, and King. Forgive us for taking for granted how great is our privilege to be in the church of the Lord Jesus Christ. And, forgive us for not being more amazed at Him Himself. Forgive us, for His sake, we ask. And, give us to know You in Him, we ask in His Name, AMEN!

Suggested songs: ARP98 “O Sing a New Song” or TPH266 “Thou Art the Way”  

Gloriously Loved by Christ [Family Worship lesson in Song of Songs 8:5–7]

Who is the bride? Song of Songs 8:5–7 prepares us for the evening sermon on the coming Lord’s Day. In these three verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that she is the glorious origin, display, and beloved of the Bridegroom. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson) Summary of the transcript of the audio: The devotional meditates upon the inseparable union between Christ and His church. Song of Songs 8:5–7 portrays the church as both the source from which Christ was born in the flesh and the eternal object of His unyielding, divine love. Central to this message is the theological truth that God’s love is stronger than death, more enduring than the grave, and utterly unconquerable by any force—neither can floods of wrath overcome it or the wealth of the whole world compare to its value. The church’s glory lies in being both the nurturing womb of Christ’s incarnation and the cherished recipient of His passionate, jealous, and fiery love, which produces in believers a reciprocal love of the same kind for Him.

2026.04.07 Hopewell @Home ▫ Song of Songs 8:5–7

Read Song of Songs 8:5–7

Questions from the Scripture text: From where is the bride coming (Song of Songs 8:5a)? What is she doing (verse 5b)? What had the bride done to the Bridegroom (verse 5c)? Where? What had His mother done there (verse 5d–e)? What does she need/want Him to do with her (Song of Songs 8:6a–b)? To remind her of what about love (verse 6c)? And of what, about zeal (verse 6d–f)? What cannot quench love (Song of Songs 8:7a)? What cannot drown it (verse 7b)? What might a man offer to give for love (verse 7c–d)? What would the response to that be (verse 7e)? 

Who is the bride? Song of Songs 8:5–7 prepares us for the opening portion of public worship on the coming Lord’s Day. In these three verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that she is the glorious origin, display, and beloved of the Bridegroom. 

After being charged concerning the bride and Bridegroom (Song of Songs 8:4, cf. Song of Songs 6:8), the daughters of Jerusalem are curious to ask about the one concerning whom they were charged (Song of Songs 8:5a–b, cf. Song of Songs 6:9). They see her coming up from the wilderness (Song of Songs 8:5a); they see her being redeemed out of the fruitless, waterless, nutritional place. 

They see her Beloved (Song of Songs 8:5b), the One bringing her out of it all. 

They see her fellowship and intimacy with Him, upon Whom she leans. This is a blessed condition—depending upon Christ through faith!

The question “who is this?” is answered by eavesdropping on their conversation, even as she leans upon Him.

Who is this? The one who has the glory of bringing forth the Bridegroom into the world (Song of Songs 8:5c–e, cf. Revelation 12:2–5). We must value the church as her, through whom the Lord brought Christ into the world, according to His flesh (cf. Song of Songs 8:5), and through whom God ordinarily brings His Son into the lives of His elect.

Who is this (Song of Songs 8:5a)? The one who has the glory of being the display of Christ’s royalty and status to the world. The seal upon the heart (Song of Songs 8:6a) and upon the arm (verse 6b) refers to a jewel, set in a golden pendant from the neck or bracelet upon the arm, would be the public display of His royalty and status. Just as she has wished that she could express her love to Him openly (Song of Songs 8:1), now she requests that He openly would display her as the emblem of His glory. God has exalted Him and made Him head over all things for the church (cf. Ephesians 1:19–23; Colossians 1:15–18). 

Who is this (Song of Songs 8:5a)? The one who has the glory of being the object of Christ’s love, and reciprocator of Christ’s love. 

Love that is stronger than death, and produces in her a love that is also stronger than death. (Song of Songs 8:6c). 

Zeal/jealousy that is more unyielding than the grave, and that produces in her a love that is more unyielding than the grave (verse 6d). 

Love that burns from that which is in YHWH (verse 6e–f). Love that is not diminished by circumstances (Song of Songs 8:7a). 

Love that refuses to be eliminated by wrath (verse 7b). Love so valuable, in and from the Creator, that all creaturely wealth together cannot equal its worth (verse 7c–e). 

Such is the glory of the church. Such is who she is. How greatly we should value her—and her communion with Him!

What impresses you about the church? What impresses you about her intimacy with the Lord Jesus? What things threaten to impress you more? What does this tell you about the extent to which you value Christ’s glory and love?

Sample prayer:  Lord, we praise You for Your glory, and for Your glorious love to the church. Help us love her and value her, and make us to love You with the love that is from You, and for You, in our own hearts, we ask in Your Name, AMEN!

Suggested songs: ARP87 “The Lord’s Foundation” or TPH87A “Zion, Founded on the Mountains” 

How Prayer Heals Despair [Family Worship lesson in Psalm 13]

How can Christians come from despair to delight? Psalm 13 looks forward to the midweek devotional. In these six verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that we can come from despair to delight by laying hold of the Lord’s laying hold of us, in prayer. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson) Summary of the transcript of the audio: The devotional unfolds Psalm 13, a portrait of the believer’s spiritual struggle—marked by feelings of divine abandonment, inner turmoil, public humiliation, and the threat of unbelief. Pastor emphasizes that such experiences, though painful, are not necessarily signs of unbelief but may occur in a living relationship with God, where the believer’s deepest anguish arises not from circumstances alone, but from losing the sense of God’s favor and presence. In prayer, the believer lays hold of God’s character, His covenant faithfulness, and the certainty of His ultimate provision. Through prayer, the soul is renewed, not because circumstances change immediately, but by God Himself laying hold of the believer, and giving the believer to lay hold of Him.

2026.04.06 Hopewell @Home ▫ Psalm 13

Read Psalm 13

Questions from the Scripture text: To whom is this Psalm addressed (superscript)? When/where, then, is the Psalm to be used? Whose Psalm was it? What question do Psalm 13:1–2 ask? How many times? What had his recent experience been like (Psalm 13:1)? What has he been doing, in this condition (Psalm 13:2a–b)? What has his enemy been doing (verse 2c)? What two things does he ask YHWH to do with his prayer (Psalm 13:3a)? What does he call YHWH? What does he ask YHWH to do to him himself (verse 3b)? To prevent what, with reference to himself (verse 3c)? And to prevent what, with reference to his enemies—what might they say (Psalm 13:4a–b), and how might they respond (verse 4c)? Of what disposition is this prayer an action (Psalm 13:5a)? What is he certain will occur, and how will he then respond (verse 5b)? How will he act upon this joy (Psalm 13:6a)? Unto Whom? Why (verse 6b)? 

How can Christians come from despair to delight? Psalm 13 looks forward to the midweek devotional. In these six verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that we can come from despair to delight by laying hold of the Lord’s laying hold of us, in prayer.

From Despair (Psalm 13:1-2). There are four things deeply troubling David here, and he begins with the most difficult for him: the idea that YHWH might not be thinking of him as He acts (Psalm 13:1a). For someone like David, the fact that the Lord is always acting in his behalf, and always turning His face upon him in grace, is an infinite source of strength and gladness. Some who profess Christianity have little thought of the Lord; it would not distress them to think that the Lord as unmindful of them. But such cannot enjoy the comfort that this Psalm has to offer. The one who is not distressed to lack the sense of God’s smile (Psalm 13:1b) will not find much help from the reality of His love in Christ.

David’s second problem is his own internal turmoil (Psalm 13:2a–b). Faith is more troubled by its own internal weakness and sin than it is about the fact that it is sinned against. The word translated “counsel” actually has the primary sense of turmoil or revolt. He is crying out to God on account of how his own soul keeps responding to the circumstance. Weak faith ought to cry out to God for more faith.

His third and fourth problems are both found in the line, “how long will my enemy be exalted over me?” Yes, there is the problem of personal humiliation. But the greater problem for the king (or for us as a royal priesthood) is that the Lord Himself is being despised in whatever is done to His anointed. To David, God’s honor in the kingdom was more important than himself. And for us also, the honor of Christ in the treatment of Christians should be more important than personal offense against ourselves. If it is, this will help us be mindful of how we treat other believers too.

Through Prayer (Psalm 13:3-4). Whatever their circumstances, believers always have the Lord. David clings to this, saying “my God” in Psalm 13:3a. He asks not for a change of circumstances but for the light to come into his eyes (verse 3b), which is the same as to request a change of heart (cf. Psalm 13:2a–b). Having the ear of heaven (Psalm 13:3a) and the compassion of God concerning our death (verse 3c) is something that we grab onto, when we pray. Even if we seem to be on the verge of death, and the enemy seem to be on the verge of victory (Psalm 13:4), what is that to someone who has the ear and heart of heaven? 

“If God is for us, who can be against us?” (cf. Romans 8:31). “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?” (Romans 8:35). “Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him Who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:37–39). This is what David clings to by praying. How many believers, by neglect of prayer, do not enjoy His reassurance that they always have His ear and love.

To Delight (Psalm 13:5-6). Circumstances have not changed in the few seconds between Psalm 13:1 and Psalm 13:5. But David’s heart has. He has trusted in God’s steadfast/covenant love (verse 5a). His heart, which was full of turmoil (Psalm 13:2a) and sorrow (verse 2b) is now rejoicing in YHWH’s salvation. So, as frequently happens for the believer, prayer turns into praise (Psalm 13:6a). YHWH has dwelt bountifully with David in past events. YHWH has dwelt bountifully with him in the present, giving him to lay hold of His ear and love by prayer. And YHWH has dwelt bountifully with him in the future, of which David is now sure, even though it hasn’t happened yet. This is true for you, dear suffering believer. And even for you, dear distressed and mistrusting believer. Come to Him in prayer; lay hold of His hearing you and loving you. And remember, on your knees, and in your songs, that He did not spare Christ, but gave Him up for you—together with all things (cf. Romans 8:32).

What distressing circumstances are you in? What distress do you find in your heart? What are your prayer habits like? How are your prayers laying hold of God’s hearing you and loving you? 

Sample prayer:  Lord, we often lose the sense of Your caring for us and smiling upon us. And, we often have turmoil and sorrow in our hearts. Thank You for giving prayer to us, by which we may lay hold of Your hearing us and loving us. Please meet us, in our prayers, by Your Spirit. Assure us of Your love. Remind us of Your giving Christ for us, so that we may remember that You surely give us all things together with Him. And make us to sing Your praise, for You have dealt bountifully with us, we ask through Christ, AMEN!

Suggested songs: ARP13 “How Long Will You Forget Me, Lord” or TPH164 “God Himself Is with Us” 

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