2026.10.02 Hopewell @Home ▫ Jeremiah 2:1–13

Read Jeremiah 2:1–13

Questions from the Scripture text: What came to Jeremiah (Jeremiah 2:1)? To whom was he to go speak (Jeremiah 2:2)? What did YHWH remember? What was Israel at that time (Jeremiah 2:3)? Whom does YHWH condemn? But now whom does YHWH summon to listen (Jeremiah 2:4)? What have who done (Jeremiah 2:5)? What haven’t they done (Jeremiah 2:6)? What had the Lord done for them (Jeremiah 2:7)? Who failed to inquire of the Lord (Jeremiah 2:8a)? What didn’t the handlers of the law do (verse 8b)? Who else sinned in what way (verse 8c)? And who else, in what other way (verse 8d–e)? What, then, is YHWH doing against whom (Jeremiah 2:9)? What have other nations not done with whom (Jeremiah 2:10-11b)? But who have done so with Whom (Jeremiah 2:11c–d)? Who are called to witness with astonishment (Jeremiah 2:12)? Whom/what have the people evilly forsaken (Jeremiah 2:13a–b)? And what have the people evilly done for themselves (verse 13c)? 

What should we think of idolatry? Jeremiah 2:1–13 prepares us for the evening sermon on the coming Lord’s Day. In these thirteen verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that idolatry is offensive, ungrateful, and irrational.  

What YHWH remembers, Jeremiah 2:1-3. The Lord does all things out of love for His people. He remembers His covenant with them, and His consecrating them as holy to Himself. Anyone who gets in the way of this is doomed.

The offense of idolatry, Jeremiah 2:4-6. The offense isn’t just that they followed idols. It’s that they did not seek YHWH to follow Him. They did not treat Him as God. And as their God. 

The ingratitude of idolatry, Jeremiah 2:7. After what the Lord had brought them out of (Jeremiah 2:6), and into (Jeremiah 2:7), it is irrational and ungrateful that they would fail to continue seeking Him. Now, consider out of what He has brought you, and into what He has brought you.

The responsibility of idolatry, Jeremiah 2:8. There are four groups (three, if the second is a subcategory of the priests) whose responsibility it was to lead the people in seeking the Lord: the priests, teachers of the law (literally those who lay hold of it), the rulers, and the prophets. The most important thing for any one of these is that he himself seek the Lord, be faithful to Him, and obey Him. What sorts of leaders do you have? What sort of leader would you be? The most important think is to seek the Lord, be faithful to Him, and obey Him.

The irrationality of idolatry, Jeremiah 2:9-13. It is a testimony to the insanity of wickedness (Jeremiah 2:10) that men cling zealously to idols that they create (Jeremiah 2:11a–b), but easily part with the living God Himself (verse 11c–d). It is like trying to slake one’s thirst with the slime on the bottom of a cistern that cannot actually hold the water (Jeremiah 2:13c), when one has access to a fountain of water that is better than one could imagine (verse 13a–b). But this is what we do, when we find our identity, our strength, our purpose, or our joy, in anything apart from the Lord Himself. God save us from idolatry!

How are you seeking the Lord, to follow after Him? From out of what has the Lord brought you? And into what has the Lord brought you? What sorts of leaders do you have? What sort of leader would you be? In what do you find your identity, your strength, your purpose, your joy?

Sample prayer:  Lord, how offensive, ungrateful, and irrational our idolatry is! Have mercy upon us. Forgive us for it, and turn us from it, and make us to see the greatness of Your love for us, and the goodness of Your life for us. Make us to come to You as the fountain of living waters in Christ, through Whom we ask it, AMEN!

Suggested songs: ARP119H “My Portion Is the LORD Himself” or TPH244 “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God”

2026.10.02 Hopewell @Home ▫ Jeremiah 2:1–13

Read Jeremiah 2:1–13

Questions from the Scripture text: What came to Jeremiah (Jeremiah 2:1)? To whom was he to go speak (Jeremiah 2:2)? What did YHWH remember? What was Israel at that time (Jeremiah 2:3)? Whom does YHWH condemn? But now whom does YHWH summon to listen (Jeremiah 2:4)? What have who done (Jeremiah 2:5)? What haven’t they done (Jeremiah 2:6)? What had the Lord done for them (Jeremiah 2:7)? Who failed to inquire of the Lord (Jeremiah 2:8a)? What didn’t the handlers of the law do (verse 8b)? Who else sinned in what way (verse 8c)? And who else, in what other way (verse 8d–e)? What, then, is YHWH doing against whom (Jeremiah 2:9)? What have other nations not done with whom (Jeremiah 2:10-11b)? But who have done so with Whom (Jeremiah 2:11c–d)? Who are called to witness with astonishment (Jeremiah 2:12)? Whom/what have the people evilly forsaken (Jeremiah 2:13a–b)? And what have the people evilly done for themselves (verse 13c)? 

What should we think of idolatry? Jeremiah 2:1–13 prepares us for the evening sermon on the coming Lord’s Day. In these thirteen verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that idolatry is offensive, ungrateful, and irrational.  

What YHWH remembers, Jeremiah 2:1-3. The Lord does all things out of love for His people. He remembers His covenant with them, and His consecrating them as holy to Himself. Anyone who gets in the way of this is doomed.

The offense of idolatry, Jeremiah 2:4-6. The offense isn’t just that they followed idols. It’s that they did not seek YHWH to follow Him. They did not treat Him as God. And as their God. 

The ingratitude of idolatry, Jeremiah 2:7. After what the Lord had brought them out of (Jeremiah 2:6), and into (Jeremiah 2:7), it is irrational and ungrateful that they would fail to continue seeking Him. Now, consider out of what He has brought you, and into what He has brought you.

The responsibility of idolatry, Jeremiah 2:8. There are four groups (three, if the second is a subcategory of the priests) whose responsibility it was to lead the people in seeking the Lord: the priests, teachers of the law (literally those who lay hold of it), the rulers, and the prophets. The most important thing for any one of these is that he himself seek the Lord, be faithful to Him, and obey Him. What sorts of leaders do you have? What sort of leader would you be? The most important think is to seek the Lord, be faithful to Him, and obey Him.

The irrationality of idolatry, Jeremiah 2:9-13. It is a testimony to the insanity of wickedness (Jeremiah 2:10) that men cling zealously to idols that they create (Jeremiah 2:11–b), but easily part with the living God Himself (verse 11c–d). It is like trying to slake one’s thirst with the slime on the bottom of a cistern that cannot actually hold the water (Jeremiah 2:13c), when one has access to a fountain of water that is better than one could imagine (verse 13a–b). But this is what we do, when we find our identity, our strength, our purpose, or our joy, in anything apart from the Lord Himself. God save us from idolatry!

How are you seeking the Lord, to follow after Him? From out of what has the Lord brought you? And into what has the Lord brought you? What sorts of leaders do you have? What sort of leader would you be? In what do you find your identity, your strength, your purpose, your joy?

Sample prayer:  Lord, how offensive, ungrateful, and irrational our idolatry is! Have mercy upon us. Forgive us for it, and turn us from it, and make us to see the greatness of Your love for us, and the goodness of Your life for us. Make us to come to You as the fountain of living waters in Christ, through Whom we ask it, AMEN!

Suggested songs: ARP119H “My Portion Is the LORD Himself” or TPH244 “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God”

That We May See the King [Family Worship lesson in Mark 10:46–11:11]

Who is Jesus? Mark 10:46–11:11 looks forward to the hearing of God’s Word, publicly read, in the holy assembly on the coming Lord’s Day. In these eighteen verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that Jesus is the Son of Man, the forever-King, the Son of David. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson) Summary of the transcript of the audio: This devotional explores the dual narrative of Mark 10:46-11:11, contrasting the spiritual sight of blind Bartimaeus with the physical sight but spiritual blindness of the surrounding crowd. The central message emphasizes that true faith involves recognizing Jesus as the Son of David and the eternal King, rather than merely participating in a frenzy of praise without understanding. By drawing parallels to Job’s insistence upon beholding Christ, Pastor illustrates genuine repentance and trust in Christ’s power and mercy. The passage culminates in Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem, where He is presented not just as a political figure, but as the King, Who is the ultimate Temple and Ransom for many. The sermon concludes with a pastoral exhortation to seek the sight and life that only Christ provides, urging believers to see Him, and follow Him, as their Savior and King.

2026.10.01 Hopewell @Home ▫ Mark 10:46–11:11

Read Mark 10:46–11:11

Questions from the Scripture text: Where had they come, and from where were they now leaving (Mark 10:46)? Who was with Him? What was blind Bartimaeus doing? Whom did he hear was going by (Mark 10:47)? What did he call Jesus? What did he ask Jesus to do? What did people warn him to do (Mark 10:48)? How did he respond? What did Jesus do when He heard Bartimaeus (Mark 10:49)? What did Jesus ask him in Mark 10:51? What did Bartimaeus say? What does Jesus say made him well? Where had Jesus commanded him to go? Where does he go instead? When they reach the Mount of Olives, what does He send two disciples to get (Mark 11:1-6)? What do the disciples do to the colt for Jesus to sit on (Mark 11:7)? What do the people do with their clothes and the branches for Jesus to ride on (Mark 11:8)? What did the people cry out in Mark 11:9-10? What does Jesus do at the temple in Mark 11:11? Where does He then go and why?

Who is Jesus? Mark 10:46–11:11 looks forward to the hearing of God’s Word, publicly read, in the holy assembly on the coming Lord’s Day. In these eighteen verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that Jesus is the Son of Man, the Son of David, the forever-King.

In this week’s passage, if we pay careful attention, we will notice the way of salvation: faith in Jesus Christ as the promised forever-King. Last week’s passage had ended with “The Son of Man… came to give His life a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45). Now, in Mark 10:52, Jesus literally says, “Your faith has saved you,” and then in Mark 11:9-10 the people are crying “Hosanna!,” which literally means “O, save!”

But it is not just the truth of salvation that draws these passages together. They are also held together by the truth about how that salvation comes.

The son of Timaeus is interested in someone else’s parentage. He doesn’t refer to Jesus as Teacher or even Lord, but as “Son of David” (Mark 10:47, Mark 10:48). He recognizes that Jesus is that forever-King promised to David in 2 Samuel 7. When Jesus heals him and tells him to go his own way (Mark 10:52a), there is only one way that Bartimaeus wishes to go: whichever way Jesus, his forever-King, leads (verse 52b).

Then, in chapter 11, it is obvious that the people are treating Jesus as a King. The implication in the colt hunt is that there are people who now recognize that everything in the kingdom ought to be at the King’s disposal (Mark 11:3). The disciples consider Jesus too royal to ride bare upon an animal’s back (Mark 11:7). The people consider Jesus too royal for His steed’s hooves to touch the bare ground (Mark 11:8).

Why all this kingly treatment? Mark 11:10 explains, “Blessed is the kingdom of our father David that comes in the name of the Lord!” Here again is the recognition that this is the forever-King of 2 Samuel 7, Psalm 72, Psalm 2, etc.

I wonder, dear reader, if you are responding to Jesus as King? Surely, the first step is to believe in Him with similar faith to that which saved Bartimaeus. But are we going wherever He leads? Is His wish our command? Do we treat Him as royalty, offering that honor and homage and worship that is due unto Him? Is He our KING?!

Have you believed in Jesus as God, Savior, and King? How are you following in His path? How are you treating Him as royalty?

Sample prayer: Lord, thank You for giving Your Son to be the Son of Man, the King from the line of David to Whom all glory belongs. Give us to trust in Him, follow Him, and praise Him as our King, with the whole of our lives, we ask in His Name, AMEN! 

Suggested songs: ARP72C “May Waving Grain on Hilltops Thrive” or TPH374 “All Hail the Pow’r of Jesus’s Name”

2026.09.30 Midweek Meeting Livestream (live at 6:30p)

To tune in for the Prayer Meeting, we recommend that you visit the livestream page.

2026.09.27 Lord's Day Livestreams (live at 10:10a, 11:10a, and 3p)

To tune in for the Lord's Day streams, we recommend that you visit the livestream page.

Why You Need Christ As King [Children's Catechism 71—Theology Simply Explained]

Pastor walks his children through Children's Catechism question 71—especially explaining how we can’t even repent without help, so we need Christ to be our King.

Q71. Why do you need Christ as a king? Because I am weak and helpless. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson) Summary of the transcript of the audio: The lesson explains that Christ is needed as King, because humanity is inherently weak and helpless. It explains that Christ fulfills His kingly office by subduing believers to himself, ruling and defending them, and defeating their enemies. The text emphasizes that apart from Christ, human intentions are evil and individuals lack the strength to achieve righteousness or overcome sin, Satan, and death. Therefore, salvation and obedience are entirely dependent on divine grace rather than human effort. The central message is that without Christ as King, humanity would perish, but God has provided His Son to meet this critical need.

2026.09.26 Hopewell @Home ▫ Ephesians 4:12–13

Read Ephesians 4:12–13

Questions from the Scripture text: Whom were the apostles and prophets and evangelists and pastor-teachers been given to equip (Ephesians 4:12)? For what work? What were these gifts given also to build up? Who come to what unity by these works (Ephesians 4:13)? To what knowledge do they come? To what kind of man? To what measure and stature?

Why do we need shepherd-teachers? Ephesians 4:12–13 prepares us for the morning sermon in public worship on the coming Lord’s Day. In these two verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that shepherd-teachers restore and repair us for the work of building one another up into Jesus.

Why must we have this thoroughly Scripture-founded, Scripture-formed, Scripture-filled, Scripture-facilitated ministry from Ephesians 4:11?

Because we are in constant need of repair. That’s what the word translated “equipping” (Ephesians 4:12) really means: restoring again back to usefulness, like when the fishermen were repairing their nets and hooks.

The equipping ministry of the Word is like a soldier who keeps his body fit and meticulously maintains his weapons, because he’s got a mission.

What is that mission? Ministry (service, Ephesians 4:12—and, in this case, necessarily service in the truth) by which Christ builds up His body (verse 12). Elders’ ministry in the Word, and our service to one another, aims especially at three things:

The unity of the faith (Ephesians 4:13). Biblical unity is not peaceful interaction between those who disagree, but the reorientation of many different minds and values and preferences to the one mind and values and preferences of Christ. It is the unity of the faith. Unity that comes by passionate pursuit of agreement with Scripture, under the ministry of pastor-teachers upon whose ministries all the saints attend well so that they can reinforce it to one another.

A second thing that biblical ministry aims at is the knowledge of the Son of God (Ephesians 4:13). Not merely “all the feels” about Jesus. It’s Scripture-driven and theological. O, everything, everything, we learn of our Lord Jesus should and does inflame our hearts with passionate love to our glorious and dear Redeemer! But this is a love and a knowledge that is built brick by brick, sinew by sinew, by every new thing that we accurately and truly understand about the Lord Jesus. This is not a surprising response to the pastor-teachers’ ministry in the Word of God, because our Lord Jesus says, “it is they [the Scriptures] that speak of Me.”

A final thing that biblical ministry aims at is maturity, “a perfect man,” (Ephesians 4:13). What is Christian maturity measured by? Christ (verse 13). How does one come by this maturity? Being filled with Christ (verse 13).

Believers who want more of Jesus should be seeking their elders to pastor them more in the Word and to teach them more from the Word, and then reinforcing one another in that in which they are led and taught. Here is a wonderful truth in this verse: this is Jesus’s way not only of making us know Him more, but also of making us more like Him, by filling us with Himself!

So a biblical ministry is a Jesus ministry. And a Jesus ministry is: saints, who have been repaired/remedied from their own thoughts/values/preferences to be reoriented to those of Christ, by the ministry of pastor-teachers, now proceeding to reinforce one another in this reorientation. And Jesus Himself has been pleased to appoint this as the way by which we know Jesus more, become more like Jesus, and are even filled with Jesus. Praise Jesus!

What should pastor-teachers be doing? What will keep their congregations in good shape? Why is your own sermon-listening and Scripture meditation important to the building of the church? Why is it important for unity? What are some things that you have been learning about Jesus in the Bible recently? How have you reinforced it to others?

Sample prayer: Lord, thank You for giving us a ministry from Jesus, that Jesus Himself uses to grow us in union with Himself and conformity to Himself. Give us a faithful ministry, and help us to attend well upon it, so that we ourselves may be kept in good repair for reinforcing one another in Christ, we ask through Him, AMEN! 

Suggested songs: ARP78B “O Come, My People” or TPH409 “Blest Be the Tie That Binds”

2026.09.25 Hopewell @Home ▫ Jeremiah 1:11–19

Read Jeremiah 1:11–19

Questions from the Scripture text: What came to Jeremiah in Jeremiah 1:11? What did He ask? What did Jeremiah answer? What does YHWH say about Jeremiah’s seeing (Jeremiah 1:12)? What does the almond branch indicate? What comes to Jeremiah again in Jeremiah 1:13? What did He ask? What did Jeremiah answer? Which way was it facing? What does YHWH say this means—what will come from the north (Jeremiah 1:14)? Upon whom? Whom is He calling (Jeremiah 1:15)? What will they do? Where? Against whom? What will YHWH utter against these same things/people (Jeremiah 1:16)? Why, what they have done? What must Jeremiah do, then (Jeremiah 1:17)? And what must he not do? Lest the Lord do what? What has the Lord made him (Jeremiah 1:18)? Against which five entities? What will these five entities do (Jeremiah 1:19)? But what won’t they be able to do? Why?

What is the final thing to remember, from the introduction to Jeremiah? Jeremiah 1:11–19 prepares us for the evening sermon on the coming Lord’s Day. In these nine verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that it is the Lord Himself Who comes, with power, by means of His Word.

In this third section of Jeremiah’s introduction to his book, we find one final installment to the Lord’s calling him to his ministry. And, in this last installment, we learn how we ought to be relating to this Word, and especially to the Lord, Whose Word it is.

The Lord Who keeps watch with His Word, Jeremiah 1:11-12. The word “watching” (Jeremiah 1:12, translated “ready” in NKJ) is almost identical to the word “almond tree” (Jeremiah 1:11). It is a play on words to say that the Lord Himself is coming, by way of His Word, to do what He declares (Jeremiah 1:12b). We must remember this: that the Lord’s Word is not separate from His action. It is He Himself Whom comes to us, speaks to us, engages us when we are reading the Scriptures, or hearing them preached. Come to your Bible, and come to preaching, expecting the Lord Himself to come in His power.

The judgement that is about to boil over, Jeremiah 1:13-15. The second little vision that YHWH gives Jeremiah is of a giant cauldron, sitting on the world map; it has come to a boil, and become unstable, and is about to tip over from the north, dumping its boiling contents all over Israel (Jeremiah 1:13). YHWH’s wrath is like that. He is slow to anger (cf. Exodus 34:6, Numbers 14:18), just as such a large pot comes to a boil. But how fierce is the fury once it is boiling! And now, that fury is at the literal tipping point against Israel (Jeremiah 1:14); the strength of the nations has been combined in Babylon, and is about to come pouring in from the north (Jeremiah 1:15). We must remember how patient the Lord is being with our sin; and, rather than continuing to heat the boiling pot, we must turn from that sin, in repentance unto our good, forbearing, longsuffering God (cf. Romans 2:4).

The personal betrayal that boiled this pot, Jeremiah 1:16. In violating the first commandment (Jeremiah 1:16d), and the second commandment (Jeremiah 1:16e), Israel has personally betrayed and abandoned the Lord Himself. To the ancient world, it was common sense that you could burn incense to multiple gods, but the Lord demands exclusivity. To the ancient world (and, sadly, much of the contemporary ‘Christian’ world!), it was common sense that you would craft your own way of worshiping. Judah might have been perplexed as to why God made such a big deal about His law. But it is because, in violating any of His commands, we personally reject Him Himself. This is the ugliness of your sin dear reader—not merely failure to follow a guideline, or violation of a standard, but personal rejection of the Lord Himself.

The no-exemptions loyalty that the Lord requires, Jeremiah 1:17. It is this personal nature of sin that made it such a danger to Jeremiah that he might “be dismayed before their faces” (Jeremiah 1:17c, cf. Jeremiah 1:8). When we walk by sight, instead of by faith, we forget the Lord, Whom our eyes cannot see. But, if Jeremiah forgets the Lord, and starts to worry about the people’s opposition, he will have a much bigger problem: the Lord’s own opposition. But the Lord was not just demanding loyalty from the people to whom Jeremiah was prophesying, but from Jeremiah himself. It is possible to pray or preach for others to be faithful to the Lord, while being so fearful of them that we ourselves become unfaithful!

The Lord Who personally strengthens those loyal to Him, Jeremiah 1:18-19. The Lord’s presence to Jeremiah was not intended to be frightful but fortifying. He would make Jeremiah a fortified city, an iron pillar, and bronze walls. The Lord doesn’t assure him by telling him that he won’t have much against him. He will have the kings of Judah against him (Jeremiah 1:18d). And he will have the princes of Judah against him (verse 18e). And he will have the priests of Judah against him (verse 18f). And he will have the people of Judah against him (verse 18g). But he will have YHWH for him (Jeremiah 1:19). It is not so much that YHWH will make Jeremiah to be strong, as that YHWH Himself with Jeremiah—that is his strength. So it is with you, dear Christian. In this world you will have trouble. But what the Lord will do is much better than just making you strong. The Lord Himself will be with you to be your strength, even in your weakness.

With what expectation of God’s acting do you come to your Bible-reading, or to hearing His Word preached? What sin are you persisting in, as the pot comes to a boil, rather than turning from it in response to God’s patience? Whom do you fear in such a way that you might be in danger of fearing the Lord? In what situations do you need to remember that the Lord Himself is your strength?

Sample prayer: Lord, thank You for Your great patience with us and our sin. Please grant that Your patience would lead us to repentance, not presumption. Make us to know You Yourself with us, especially by Your Word, and especially in circumstances that expose our weakness. Keep us from fearing anyone else, by making us continually to remember godly fear, we ask through Christ, AMEN! 

Suggested songs: ARP119H “My Portion Is the Lord Himself” or TPH244 “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God”

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”