Spurgeon Morning and Evening March 26 PM

Biblical Context

The Gospel of Mark is the shortest and most action-packed of the four Gospels. Many link its writing to Peter’s preaching, and it was likely put together for a Roman audience. It focuses on Jesus as both the suffering Servant and the powerful Son of God.

Mark moves fast, showing Jesus’ deeds more than His long speeches. This particular passage, Mark 8:38, comes right after two very important moments: Peter’s confession of Jesus as the Christ (Mark 8:29) and Jesus’ first clear prediction of His suffering, death, and resurrection (Mark 8:31).

Right after telling His disciples about His coming pain, Jesus calls them, and all the people, to follow Him. He tells them they must deny themselves, take up their cross, and lose their life for His sake and the gospel’s. He warns that whoever is ashamed of Him and His words in this sinful generation, He will also be ashamed of when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.

So, Mark 8:38 is both a warning and a promise. It ties what we give up now to the amazing future glory that waits for us. It sets the stage for us to understand both the costs and the incredible rewards of truly following Jesus.

Key Word Study

The word we’ll look at from Mark 8:38 is “glory.” In the Greek New Testament, this word is doxa (δόξα).

Doxa means honor, praise, renown, splendor, or brightness. It’s about how someone or something looks, especially in a majestic or impressive way. It’s not just a good reputation; it’s the actual, visible display of power and majesty.

In the Bible, doxa often points to God’s visible presence or His divine nature. Think of the shining cloud on Mount Sinai that covered the tabernacle. It was the physical sign of God’s presence and power.

When Mark says Jesus will come “in the glory of His Father,” it means He’s coming with all the visible splendor, power, and honor that belongs to God Himself. It’s a clear statement about Jesus’ true identity and the awesome way He’ll return. It’s the ultimate display of divine majesty, a complete reversal of His earthly shame and suffering. It’s not just a concept; it’s a visible, stunning arrival.

Sharing His Shame, Sharing His Glory

Spurgeon opens with a stark but hopeful truth: “If we have been partakers with Jesus in His shame, we shall be sharers with Him in the lustre which shall surround Him when He appears again in glory.” Think about that. It means if you’re willing to walk through the hard parts with Jesus now, you’ll definitely share in the incredible brightness and honor that will be His when He comes back. This isn’t a maybe; it’s a direct cause and effect. Are you, beloved one, truly with Christ Jesus? Does a strong, living connection hold you close to Him? If it does, then you know what it means to be with Him in His shame today. It means you’ve taken up His cross, accepting the difficulties and the cost of following Him. It means you’ve gone with Him “without the camp bearing His reproach,” moving outside what’s popular or comfortable, just like He did. If you’re doing this now, then you “shalt doubtless be with Him when the cross is exchanged for the crown.” It’s a guaranteed switch, from suffering to victory, from burden to reigning.

Judging Ourselves for Future Glory

But we also need to take a serious look at ourselves tonight. Spurgeon says, “But judge thyself this evening; for if thou art not with Him in the regeneration, neither shalt thou be with Him when He shall come in His glory.” This isn’t about being perfect; it’s about being changed. “Regeneration” means being born again, having your spirit made new by God. If that spiritual newness hasn’t happened in you, if you haven’t truly committed your life to Him and experienced that inner transformation, then you won’t be with Him when He shows up in all His power. It’s a warning: if you “start back from the black side of communion,” meaning you shy away from the hard, sacrificial parts of walking with Jesus, “thou shalt not understand its bright, its happy period, when the King shall come, and all His holy angels with Him.” You won’t get to truly grasp or be part of the joy and splendor of His return if you weren’t willing to endure the struggle with Him first. It’s a call to honest self-reflection right now.

The Special Place of God’s People, Beyond Angels

Then, Spurgeon brings up the angels, making a powerful point about our unique relationship with Jesus. “What! are angels with Him?” he asks, almost in surprise. And then, he gives the reason why this is so amazing: “And yet He took not up angels-He took up the seed of Abraham.” Think about it. Jesus didn’t become an angel to save angels. He became human, taking on flesh, specifically becoming part of the lineage of Abraham (Hebrews 2:16, referring to the “seed of Abraham”). This shows His deep, personal commitment to humanity, to us. “Are the holy angels with Him?” he asks again. “Come, my soul, if thou art indeed His own beloved, thou canst not be far from Him.” If you truly belong to Him, you’re not just a distant admirer. If His friends and His neighbors—meaning the angels, who serve and behold Him—are called together to witness His glory, “what thinkest thou if thou art married to Him? Shalt thou be distant?” This pushes us to see our relationship not just as friendship, but as something far, far closer.

Betrothed and Married: Our Unbreakable Union

Consider this amazing truth: “Though it be a day of judgment, yet thou canst not be far from that heart which, having admitted angels into intimacy, has admitted thee into union.” Even on the day when He judges the world, you won’t be pushed away from His heart. He lets angels into His close circle, but He brings you into an even deeper union. Hasn’t He spoken directly to your soul? “I will betroth thee unto Me in righteousness, and in judgment, and in lovingkindness” (Hosea 2:19). This isn’t just a friendly greeting; it’s a promise of marriage, a solemn pledge for eternity, made in justice and unfailing kindness. And haven’t “His own lips said it, ‘I am married unto thee, and My delight is in thee'” (Isaiah 62:4)? These aren’t just figures of speech. These are declarations of eternal covenant, showing His deep joy and pleasure in you, His chosen one. If angels, who are simply friends and neighbors, will be with Him, “it is abundantly certain that His own beloved Hephzibah, in whom is all His delight, shall be near to Him, and sit at His right hand.” The name “Hephzibah” itself, meaning “My delight is in her,” (Isaiah 62:4) speaks volumes about how much He loves and cherishes His people, His bride. You are His Hephzibah.

A Bright Hope for Dark Times

Here, then, is a morning star of hope for you. It’s a hope “of such exceeding brilliance, that it may well light up the darkest and most desolate experience.” This isn’t a small, flickering flame. This is a powerful, shining light, strong enough to cut through any sadness, any struggle, any feeling of being alone. Your current hard times, your shame for Christ, your cross-bearing—all of it is temporary. The coming glory, your secure place by His side as His beloved bride, that’s eternal. This truth should give you courage and peace today. You’re not forgotten, you’re not alone, and you’re not just a friend; you’re family, married to the King of Glory Himself. What an amazing promise to carry with you!