EmmDev 2025-08-29 [Moments with Mark] Rewards and Boasting

Rewards and Boasting

Peter said to him, "We have left everything to follow you!" "I tell you the truth," Jesus replied, "no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age (homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields -- and with them, persecutions) and in the age to come, eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last first." (Mark10:28-31)

I think everyone felt a bit deflated when the young man walked away. Such promise, and yet such "stuckness". Maybe Peter wanted to comfort Jesus: "Don't worry about him, Lord. We have left everything to follow You!"

Jesus' response, as it often was, was enigmatic. In short, He promises rewards for those who make sacrifices, but also warns that persecution and trials will be part of the journey. He speaks about both this present world and the world to come.

Those who follow Jesus will walk a challenging road. There will be things to let go of, and sometimes people will let go of us because of our faith. But there are blessings too. We will find a spiritual family, and sometimes even material provision, but there will still be trouble.

This world is not our final destination. It is still broken. Believers have the joy of knowing God as Father, experiencing forgiveness and grace, and belonging to the faith community. But trouble does not disappear. This is our earthly life ("this present age") and it is not the end of the story. Our final destination ("the age to come") is eternal life with the Author of Life. There, brokenness will be healed and evil defeated.

In the meantime, we are called to put Him first, even when it means sacrifice. Blessings will come - sometimes in surprising ways - but trouble will come too, and we should not let it derail us.

Jesus ends with a gentle warning. "Be careful about boasting, Peter. Eternity will reveal all things, and those who thought they had done the most may discover that others gave even more. Sometimes the first will end up last, and the last first."

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EmmDev 2025-08-28 [Moments with Mark] Rich, Young, Influential - Loved

Rich, Young, Influential - Loved

As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to Him and fell on his knees before him. "Good teacher," he asked, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?" "Why do you call me good?" Jesus answered. "No one is good -- except God alone. You know the commandments: 'Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, do not defraud, honor your father and mother.' " "Teacher," he declared, "all these I have kept since I was a boy." Jesus looked at him and loved him. "One thing you lack," He said. "Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." At this the man's face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth. Jesus looked around and said to His disciples, "How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!" The disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said again, "Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." The disciples were even more amazed, and said to each other, "Who then can be saved?" Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God." (Mark10:17-27)

This is an account that is both beautiful and sad. It is beautiful because it tells of the hunger of a young man who had everything the world could give him, but still longed for something more. It is sad because when he found the answer, he could not accept it.

I can't help but wonder if the rich young ruler was Joseph of Arimathea, who eventually went to Pilate to request the body of Jesus and buried His body in his own tomb... that would make this account less sad and even more beautiful...

Let's pick up the highlights:

• From the other gospel accounts we know he was young and influential. We can also see that he is devout and earnest. But this was obviously not satisfying him, because he runs to Jesus and falls to his knees.
• He's rich and influential, and Jesus is just an itinerant carpenter-preacher, and yet he runs, kneels and calls Jesus "good teacher". It's clear that the man has seen or sensed that there is something about Jesus. Jesus picks up on this and confirms his suspicion - "no-one is good, except God alone..."
• Jesus then lists some of the commandments from the "second tablet" (commandments 6-10). These are the commandments that have to do with loving people. This is the "usual" expectation that people have of religion: "Just be a good person..."
• The young man isn't boasting, he's sincere when he says "I've been doing this."
  This is why Jesus looks at him and loves him. (It's a sentence that takes my breath away every time I read it.)
• But the man has been doing it all himself, and so Jesus asks him to do the one thing he can't do. "Sell your stuff..." And the key issue isn't that the poor need it, but that his stuff was getting in the way of the first tablet commandments "No other gods and no idols" or "Love the Lord your God with ALL your heart, soul, mind and strength."
• And the man walks away. If I were in Jesus' shoes I would have been tempted to say "Ok, let's start with half..." But Jesus is resolute. The man is possessed by his possessions and he needs to be free.
  This is why Jesus consistently warned about how impossible it was to serve God and money (Mammon).
• Then He talks about how hard it is for the rich to shake their "possession obsession." People have tried to soften Jesus' image about the camel and the eye of the needle, saying that the "eye of the needle" was a narrow gate that needed you to unpack your camel before going through it. But I think Jesus meant a literal camel and a literal eye of the needle. It's impossible to get free of "possession obsession" unless God changes our hearts.

While it is pure speculation on my part, this is why I like to think that the rich young ruler was Joseph of Arimithea and that God's Spirit eventually softened his heart to stand up before Herod and give his tomb to Jesus.
All things are possible with God.

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EmmDev 2025-08-27 [Moments with Mark] Being Infant-like

Being Infant-like

People were bringing little children to Jesus to have Him touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, He was indignant. He said to them, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it." And He took the children in His arms, put His hands on them and blessed them. (Mark10:13-16)

Most preachers approach this passage by talking about the innocent faith of children, often pointing to the image of a child who jumps trustingly into daddy's arms.

But I want to suggest another way of looking at it...
The age of the "little children" is the critical issue. Matthew and Mark use the word "paidia", a diminutive form of "child," while Luke uses "brephē", which means infant or baby. On top of this, people were "bringing" these children to Jesus, which suggests babes in arms rather than independent children running around. When Jesus then takes them in His arms, the picture is not of playful youngsters but of helpless infants- a bit like the way ministers hold babies when baptising them.

At first this might seem counter-intuitive. Is Jesus really asking us to become helpless infants, rather than trusting, optimistic kids as in the illustration I opened with?

The truth is, we'd prefer the latter. We like the idea that we contribute something - even if it is just childlike faith. But what Jesus is actually saying is much more radical. He is teaching us that we come to God helpless. We cannot save ourselves. We need Christ to rescue us. We are saved by grace, not by works, so that no one can boast.

Tomorrow we will look at the rich young ruler and see that the same truth applies: we cannot save ourselves.

So the beautiful good news in this passage is that Jesus invites us to come to Him even when we are helpless and have nothing to offer. This is the principle of His Kingdom: those who feel as weak and dependent as babes in arms are welcomed and embraced by Him.

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EmmDev 2025-08-26 [Moments with Mark] The Marriage Ideal

The Marriage Ideal

Jesus then left that place and went into the region of Judea and across the Jordan. Again crowds of people came to Him, and as was His custom, He taught them. Some Pharisees came and tested Him by asking, "Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?" "What did Moses command you?" He replied. They said, "Moses permitted a man to write a certificate of divorce and send her away." "It was because your hearts were hard that Moses wrote you this law," Jesus replied. "But at the beginning of creation God 'made them male and female.' 'For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.' So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate." When they were in the house again, the disciples asked Jesus about this. He answered, "Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery against her. And if she divorces her husband and marries another man, she commits adultery." (Mark10:1-12)

Jesus left Galilee and went into Judea, crossing into the region beyond the Jordan. This area was under the reign of Herod Antipas, the one who had John the Baptist thrown in prison because John denounced him for marrying Herodias, his brother's wife.

So the Pharisees came to Jesus with a trick question, hoping that His answer might get Him into the same trouble as John the Baptist.

Matthew, who wrote for a Jewish audience, clarifies their question: "Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any and every reason?" There was a disagreement between two of the Rabbinic schools at the time about how to understand Moses' instructions in Deuteronomy 24. The one group (under Rabbi Shammai) said that divorce was only allowable for marital unfaithfulness. The other group (under Rabbi Hillel) said that if a wife became "displeasing" to the husband (even by burning supper) he could divorce her.

Jesus acknowledges the brokenness of society, but holds to a very high standard. He goes to our created purpose and reminds us that the commitment is meant to be lifelong and that God's ideal for us was lifelong marriage between a man and a woman.

This is a very tough issue. As a pastor, I am committed and trained to do all I can to preserve marriage, but there have been cases where I have had to recommend divorce in the case of abuse, unrepentant adultery or when children are being adversely affected.

These exceptions don't change the principle and ideal.
Marriage is a high calling and we should set the bar high.
In Matthew, Jesus clarifies that the only valid reason for divorce is unfaithfulness.

But He acknowledges that it is hardness of heart that leads to people rushing into marriage, not working hard at their marriages, being unfaithful in their marriages, or being dysfunctional in their marriages.

Divorce happens, but it is not the ideal.
And when people are divorced, they need to take their part in the failure of their marriage seriously. We know that it is not always fifty-fifty, but even if one's part in a marriage failure is 3%, one should take ownership of this brokenness. Jesus warns against lightly remarrying after divorce. Scripture suggests this is permissible only in very limited circumstances. The statistics bear this out: the failure of second marriages is much higher than first marriages and the failure of third marriages is higher still.

So where does this leave us?
Divorce is not the unforgivable sin. There is grace for all.
In a culture that divorced easily, Jesus held up the ideal.
We should do our very very best to preserve marriages and ensure that people go into marriage thoughtfully, seriously and in dependence on God.
When a marriage fails we should grieve and ask for grace and restoration.

Jesus' teaching here sets the standard high.
Marriage is a worthwhile ideal.
We should not cheapen it by making divorce easy.
But we should also not use the ideal to "flog" others or ourselves when a marriage fails.
I believe heaven weeps, and we should too...

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EmmDev 2025-08-15 [Moments with Mark] Salt

Salt

Everyone will be salted with fire. Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can you make it salty again? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with each other. (Mark9:49-50)

The chapter ends with three statements Jesus made about salt. He may not have said them all at once, and He probably repeated them on different occasions. Mark seems to place them here as a fitting conclusion to this challenging section on discipleship, which began when the disciples argued about greatness.

It's helpful to consider the symbolism of salt in Biblical times:
- Salt was a preservative and purifier.
- Salt was a flavour enhancer.
- Salt was included in many of the Old Testament sacrifices.

Let's consider the three sayings:

1. "Everyone will be salted with fire."
   OT meat and grain sacrifices had to be sprinkled with salt before being burnt on the altar.
   But in the New Covenant we offer ourselves as "Living Sacrifices" and instead of being sprinkled with salt, we are sprinkled with fire. Fire is a symbol of trial and purification or refining. Those who follow Jesus as disciples will go through hardship and purification as we offer ourselves to Him. As Peter says our faith is like gold refined by fire.
2. "Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can you make it salty again?"
   Notice that Jesus doesn't say "How can it be made salty again," He says "How can you (2nd person plural) make it salty again." Christians are purifiers, preservers and flavouring agents in society. We are meant to be thermostats... not thermometers. We don't go with the flow, we change the flow. We are meant to be portrayals of the abundant life that Jesus promises in John 10:10. But we can lose our saltiness and Jesus' question indicates that it can be almost impossible to make us "salty" again. So it's better not to lose it in the first place.
3. "Have salt in yourselves and be at peace with each other."
   Christians sometimes say: "We're under grace and not law..."
   And this becomes a license to let sin in the back door.
   Having salt in ourselves means that we keep our communities pure, but that we do so graciously.
   Paul flips the order around in Colossians 4:6 but is saying the same thing: "Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone."

So, this concludes this chapter which has contained a challenging call to leadership through discipleship.

• Sometimes disciple leaders will be salted with refining fire so that we can be good living sacrifices.
• We need to ensure that in the light of the world's corruption and lacklustre values, we are bringing flavour and purity, recognising that when we lose that ground, it is hard to regain.
• We need to balance grace and purity in our communities

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EmmDev 2025-08-14 [Moments with Mark] The Principles of Disciple Greatness.

The Principles of Disciple Greatness.

And if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him to be thrown into the sea with a large millstone tied around his neck. If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life maimed than with two hands to go into hell, where the fire never goes out. And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than to have two feet and be thrown into hell. And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into hell, where "their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched." (Mark9:42-48)

After John's interruption about other people using Jesus' Name, Jesus returns to the theme of the Kingdom of God being a place where children (who had no status in society) could be welcomed.

He goes on to talk about how serious heaven considers it when a "little one" is led astray by someone claiming to be a disciple. The word He uses for "millstone" isn't the word used for the small household millstone that was turned by hand but the huge communal millstone turned by a water wheel or a pair of oxen.

This leads Him to talking about taking radical measures to deal with sin in our lives. While He uses hyperbole, it powerfully conveys the urgency of the principle.

There was a missionary in Africa who wrote "The Jungle Doctor Stories", which was a series of children's stories illustrating Biblical principles. One of them is about a tribesman who adopts a baby leopard in spite of the chief's warning that "Little leopards become big leopards and big leopards kill." Though they fed the leopard porridge and treated it like a pet, its hunting instincts awakened - and it killed.

In summary, the section we've been considering over the last few days started out with the disciples arguing about who was the greatest and Jesus' response. This is ultimately about Leadership as a Disciple.
Here are the key lessons about greatness as a Disciple Leader. (A leader who is a Disciple, not a leader of Disciples)

1. Disciple Leaders have a Servant Heart.
2. Disciple Leaders consider and welcome "the least" and the "little children" - the people society disregards.
3. Disciple Leaders are not threatened by others but are delighted when Kingdom Work is done.
4. Disciple Leaders don't cause others to stumble.
5. Disciple Leaders deal radically with baby sins before they become big sins

Remember that Jesus didn't just preach this message: He lived it.
He is the ultimate Servant Leader who welcomed, protected, and dealt with sin at the cross

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EmmDev 2025-08-12 [Moments with Mark] Maturity in Diversity

Maturity in Diversity

"Teacher," said John, "we saw a man driving out demons in your name and we told him to stop, because he was not one of us." "Do not stop him," Jesus said. "No one who does a miracle in my name can in the next moment say anything bad about me, for whoever is not against us is for us. I tell you the truth, anyone who gives you a cup of water in My name because you belong to Christ will certainly not lose his reward. (Mark9:38-41)

My mentor in ministry, Glen Craig, said: "True Spiritual Maturity is when you can worship in silence with the Quakers in the morning and with Charismatics and their drums and electric guitars in the evening and come out of both saying: 'That was WORSHIP!'"

Jesus has been sitting with the disciples having the conversation about greatness, humility and welcoming children, when John interjected up with a question: "We saw a man driving out demons in your name and we told him to stop, because he was not one of us."

This is another example of the disciples taking themselves too seriously. The essentials are present: The Name of Jesus and the power of the Spirit. If the name of Jesus was used, but there was no real spiritual power, then the sincerity of the person is in doubt, and if there was spiritual power, but not the name of Jesus, we might wonder about where the power was coming from.

Jesus is quite clear: when there is spiritual power, or a genuine act of service, and it is done in the name of Jesus, heaven notes it down and it will be rewarded.

Today, Christians tend to be very critical of anyone who does it differently.
People often act like doctrinal police officers, splitting hairs over interpretations and practices. We need to be humble enough to recognise that, in His mercy, God works amongst all kinds of Christians, including us!

Obviously the line has to be drawn at doctrine that denies the fundamentals of the faith (the Apostles' Creed is a good starting point for the fundamentals) and we also need to steer clear of those who don't practice what they preach or don't show true fruit of the power of the Spirit, which isn't only miracles, but the fruit of the Spirit.

There's the lovely tale of the monk who was on a ship that stopped at a desert island. There they found three mystics who prayed a simple prayer: "Father, Son and Spirit You are three and we are three; have mercy on us." Pitying them for their simple prayer, the monk taught them the "Our Father" and then the ship left. A day later a fireball came moving across the water and the three mystics were inside. "We've forgotten the prayer you taught us," they said, "please teach us again." To which the monk replied - perhaps you need to teach me.

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EmmDev 2025-08-08 [Moments with Mark] The right ambition (part 2)

The right ambition (part 2)

He took a little child and had him stand among them. Taking him in His arms, He said to them, "Whoever welcomes one of these little children in My name welcomes Me; and whoever welcomes Me does not welcome Me but the One who sent Me." (Mark9:36-37)

The disciples had been arguing about who was the greatest.
Jesus had already sat down like a rabbi and inverted power and value completely as He taught them about being a servant.
Now He adds a visual illustration...

In Graeco-Roman times and Israelite society children were loved, but they had no rights and no social standing at all. Children were dependent, powerless and vulnerable. They could offer no reward or advantage to the one who welcomed them.

Jesus is challenging the disciples to greatness through service and sacrifice.
To welcome and serve a child was service without explicit reward or advantage.
It was sacrificial and could often be costly, draining, and exhausting. (As anyone who has walked the corridors with a querulous infant knows)

Welcoming the helpless and powerless without reward or advantage is the service we are called to.
This kind of service:
- Was the pathway to true greatness
- Meant you were actually serving God
- Is radically counter-cultural and is a hallmark and benchmark of the Kingdom of God

Jesus is hammering His point home: "Greatness in His Kingdom is measured by our willingness to serve the least and welcome the overlooked."

How good are we at serving? Especially when there is more cost than reward?

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EmmDev 2025-08-06 [Moments with Mark] The right ambition

The right ambition

They came to Capernaum. When He was in the house, He asked them, "What were you arguing about on the road?" But they kept quiet because on the way they had argued about who was the greatest. Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, "If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all." (Mark9:33-35)

This morning I was at a minister's fraternal where the speaker spoke about two kinds of pastors and churches: those operating as egosystems and those functioning as ecosystems. He talked about the need to be servant leaders. When I got home, I realised that our next passage in Mark deals with the same issue! (I love how often the Holy Spirit orchestrates these kinds of coincidences!)

Just some context for today's passage: Yesterday we looked at the lonely road Jesus was walking as He headed to the cross where He would lay down His life for us. The disciples just didn't understand.

We see the depth of their misunderstanding in today's passage because, immediately after Jesus had just declared His intention to lay down His life, they're arguing about greatness.

When they get to their destination, Jesus asks "What were you arguing about on the road?"
It's amazing - it was OK to argue on the road while Jesus was out of earshot, but now that He's listening, they don't want to admit it. Sometimes there are things we wouldn't do if we remembered that Jesus is near enough to see and hear.

So Jesus sits down.
This is the posture of a Rabbi.
It signifies that something of importance is about to be said.

"If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all."

This is the pulse of the kingdom.
Our ambition should never be for position but for the privilege of service.
We should be striving to be last - not to be losers - but to make everyone around us win.
Our goal is to help everyone around us reach their full potential.
Our ambition is to see others thrive and grow.
We're here to serve
- not so that people will compliment us,
- but that we can complement (note the different spelling) them.

I'm a cycling fan and so I was interested in the fanfare around the retirement of the Belgian rider Tim Declercq. He was celebrated and acknowledged by some of the most successful cycling champions, even though he did not have a single victory as a professional. Why? Because of the number of times he helped others to win. As a slightly bigger rider, he would spend hours riding at the front of his team so that the champion of the team could shelter in his slipstream. He would bury himself: riding until his legs gave out, fetching drinks and food from the team car and encouraging his teammates. Over the years, many riders benefited from his selfless service, as he helped them to earn victories and accolades. The two titles given to him were "El Tractor" and "Super Domestique" recognising the immense efforts he made to pull others to victory and his heart to assist them in whatever way he could.

Tim Declercq understood that he was part of an ecosystem and not an egosystem...
And it gave him great joy to do it.
May we do the same...

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EmmDev 2025-08-05 [Moments with Mark] The Lonely Road

The Lonely Road

They left that place and passed through Galilee. Jesus did not want anyone to know where they were, because He was teaching His disciples. He said to them, "The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of men. They will kill Him, and after three days He will rise." But they did not understand what He meant and were afraid to ask Him about it. (Mark9:30-32)

It's quite a thought that while a significant part of Jesus' ministry was to announce the Kingdom of God (which was Good News and came with healing, miracles, and people being delivered from demon possession) there were also moments where He had to talk about the cost of the coming Kingdom...

This is one of those moments.
Jesus took steps to avoid the seeking and pressing crowds so that He could spend time with the disciples and try to attune their hearts to what was coming: betrayal, execution and resurrection.

The passage tells us that the disciples just weren't able to process this.
It was unthinkable, unpalatable, and unacceptable.
They're in denial: They can't, won't, or don't understand and they're NOT going to ask about it either.

So Jesus walked a lonely road.
He alone fully grasped the Kingdom cost He was about to pay.

Take a moment to reflect on that.
It's amazing to think that He would love us so much...

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EmmDev 2025-08-01 [Moments with Mark] What they missed...

What they missed...

When Jesus saw that a crowd was running to the scene, He rebuked the evil spirit. "You deaf and mute spirit," He said, "I command you, come out of him and never enter him again." The spirit shrieked, convulsed him violently and came out. The boy looked so much like a corpse that many said, "He's dead." But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him to his feet, and he stood up. After Jesus had gone indoors, His disciples asked him privately, "Why couldn't we drive it out?" He replied, "This kind can come out only by prayer." (Mark9:25-29)

Imagine the scene with me...
The disciples have been trying to cast out the evil spirit.
A crowd has gathered. They know the story. They're hoping for a resolution.
The disciples are trying their best.
They're using every formula of exorcism they can think of.
They're invoking the name of Jesus and using all the gestures and rituals.
But it isn't working.

The crowd starts losing interest. They're drifting away...
Jesus arrives and the disciples and the dad and boy gather around Him.
Then the boy starts convulsing and the crowd starts dashing back to the scene.

Jesus responds quickly. He doesn't want the boy to become a spectacle.
He authoritatively commands the spirit to leave.
The boy, after being tormented for so long, collapses in a faint but Jesus lifts him to his feet.

Later on the disciples quiz Jesus: "Why couldn't we drive it out?"
They had tried. They had perhaps even said the right words. After all, earlier in Mark 6, Jesus had given them authority to cast out demons, and they had successfully driven out demons on their missionary outreach. So what happened here?

Jesus' answer is simple, but profound and it is linked to His earlier exasperated comment: "O unbelieving generation," Jesus replied, "how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you?"

"This kind can come out only by prayer."

What Jesus is saying is that they had forgotten to pray.
They'd relied on formula, ritual and past experience.
They'd used the words, repeated the actions, and gone through the motions.
But their faith was in the ritual and their "muscle memory."
They weren't actually connecting to and relying on God.

They weren't in communion and contact with their Heavenly Father, they were relying on technique, ritual, and formula. When it is actually about relationship and dependence.
(Some later manuscripts add "and fasting" but the same point is being made: "You weren't relying on God, but on yourselves.

The disciples had grown confident in their abilities. Perhaps they thought they could handle it themselves. But real spiritual power doesn't come from methods - it comes from communion with God.

Prayer is not just a religious activity.
It's our lifeline to the Father.
It is the place where we draw strength, authority, perspective, and compassion.

This moment was a sobering reminder for the disciples, and for us, that:
- We never graduate from needing God.
- We are never so "spiritually mature" that we can operate on autopilot.
- Power in ministry flows from a heart anchored in prayer.

The contrast is striking:
The father brought a reaching faith, filled with doubt and desperation - and he received a miracle.
The disciples brought technique and confidence - and failed...

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EmmDev 2025-07-31 [Moments with Mark] Reaching Faith

Reaching Faith

When they came to the other disciples, they saw a large crowd around them and the teachers of the law arguing with them. As soon as all the people saw Jesus, they were overwhelmed with wonder and ran to greet Him. "What are you arguing with them about?" he asked. A man in the crowd answered, "Teacher, I brought you my son, who is possessed by a spirit that has robbed him of speech. Whenever it seizes him, it throws him to the ground. He foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth and becomes rigid. I asked your disciples to drive out the spirit, but they could not." "O unbelieving generation," Jesus replied, "how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy to me." So they brought him. When the spirit saw Jesus, it immediately threw the boy into a convulsion. He fell to the ground and rolled around, foaming at the mouth. Jesus asked the boy's father, "How long has he been like this?" "From childhood," he answered. "It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us." " 'If you can'?" said Jesus. "Everything is possible for him who believes." Immediately the boy's father exclaimed, "I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!" (Mark9:14-24)

As soon as they came down from the mountain top, Jesus and the three disciples were immediately thrust into a messy and heart-breaking situation.

A man had brought his son, who was suffering from demon possession (some suggest an extreme form of epilepsy, but it is clear that an evil and destructive force is at work here.) The disciples had tried to exorcise the evil spirit and had failed.

At that point the finger-pointing would begin: "You don't have enough faith", or "There is still hidden sin in your life", or "There is a generational curse that needs to be broken", or "This is God's will."

The father is desperate, the disciples are flummoxed and Jesus is disappointed at their lack of faith (more on that tomorrow). Jesus asks them to bring the boy and the reaction of evil to the Holy Son of God is immediate and dramatic. Could this partly be due to the close encounter that Jesus had with His Father - that He was still aglow with the glory of God?

When Jesus inquires as to the extent of the affliction the father affirms that it has been a long and destructive ordeal and this causes him to desperately plead "Please, if you can do anything...?"

This seems to strike a chord in Jesus and repeating the father's plea, He affirms "Everything is possible for him who believes."
At first this looks like the same old story - your prayers aren't being answered because you don't have enough faith. BUT the father's answer and the immediate deliverance Jesus provides shows us something different.

The father doesn't have great faith. He has some faith and a bunch of unbelief. He's not trying to bluff God or practice the power of positive thinking. He's coming to God just as he is. No pretences, just desperate reaching faith.

(Tomorrow we'll see what the real problem was...)

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EmmDev 2025-07-30 [Moments with Mark] Coming down from the Mountain

Coming down from the Mountain

Suddenly, when they looked around, they no longer saw anyone with them except Jesus. As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus gave them orders not to tell anyone what they had seen until the Son of Man had risen from the dead. They kept the matter to themselves, discussing what "rising from the dead" meant. And they asked him, "Why do the teachers of the law say that Elijah must come first?" Jesus replied, "To be sure, Elijah does come first, and restores all things. Why then is it written that the Son of Man must suffer much and be rejected? But I tell you, Elijah has come, and they have done to him everything they wished, just as it is written about him." (Mark9:8-13)

There are three things to think about today:
1. Coming down the mountain
2. Rising from the dead and waiting
3. Elijah

Transfiguration moments are "mountaintop" moments. You'll remember from yesterday's devotion that Peter was so enamoured with the moment that he wanted to build shelters for Jesus, Moses, and Elijah and just stay there. He doesn't even think about where he and the other two disciples will stay! But while we may want to stay on the mountaintop, we have to come down to the valley.

The purpose of renewal on the mountaintop is to strengthen us for life in the valley. So too, our times of worship on a Sunday and our devotions during the week are not mountaintops to linger on, but times to gain perspective and strength so that we can serve and work in the valley. But we do need the mountaintops!

Jesus tells them to keep the matter to themselves until the Son of Man has risen from the dead. This is a continuation of the "Messianic Secret" that we've seen in Mark's gospel. Discretion about Jesus' true identity was necessary so that He could complete His mission without being mobbed or misunderstood. He had come to seek and save. Being seen as a "Military Messiah" would have hindered that.

It's significant that after being transfigured (which confirmed that He was the Son of God), Jesus again refers to Himself as the Son of Man --- a title that emphasizes His mission to suffer and die for our sins. The disciples still hadn't grasped the full plan: that Jesus would die and rise again. So, when He referred to "rising from the dead," they were confused. But waiting to speak of what they had seen until the right time meant it would all make much more sense later.

Sometimes, on the mountaintop, God reveals things to us that are not for immediate sharing. There is a time to wait before speaking.

Their question about Elijah is very pertinent.
The last two verses of the Old Testament are:
"See, I will send you the prophet Elijah before that great and dreadful day of the Lord comes. He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers; or else I will come and strike the land with a curse." Malachi 4:5--6

The expectation was that the end-times and the coming of the Messiah would be inaugurated by the reappearance of someone like Elijah, who would bring a spiritual awakening.

In Jesus' understanding, John the Baptist is the Elijah figure. The problem with the traditional view was that people expected the coming of the Messiah to be a glorious and victorious event. But Jesus points them instead to the prophecies of a rejected Messiah. As evidence, He reminds them that John was arrested and beheaded - and that a similar fate awaited the Messiah Himself.

This is a sobering piece.
The key takeaways are:

1. We need to come down from the mountain, but we need the mountaintops too.
2. Some things we learn on the mountain aren't for immediate use; we must wait for the right time.
3. Jesus, the Son of God, knew that He would have to die as the Son of Man because He had come to seek and save humankind.
4. The triumphalistic expectations around Elijah (John the Baptist) and the Messiah (Jesus) had to be tempered with the understanding that He would pay a price to save us.

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EmmDev 2025-07-29 [Moments with Mark] Transfigured

Transfigured

After six days Jesus took Peter, James and John with Him and led them up a high mountain, where they were all alone. There He was transfigured before them. His clothes became dazzling white, whiter than anyone in the world could bleach them. And there appeared before them Elijah and Moses, who were talking with Jesus. Peter said to Jesus, "Rabbi, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters--one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah." (He did not know what to say, they were so frightened.) Then a cloud appeared and enveloped them, and a voice came from the cloud: "This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to Him!" Suddenly, when they looked around, they no longer saw anyone with them except Jesus. (Mark9:2-8)

The Transfiguration is a significant moment in the gospels.
Here are some key perspectives:

1. It is a confirmation of the confession Peter made that Jesus is the Christ (Messiah), the Son of the Living God. Jesus is the fulfillment of the law (represented by Moses) and He is the hope of the prophets (represented by Elijah).
2. It speaks of the importance of setting aside time and making an effort to be in the Father's presence. While He was always in the Father's presence, this is a moment of retreat. Jesus deliberately sets aside time to be with the Father in solitude and natural wonder.
3. This moment is an important "tank-filling" or time of renewal for Jesus. His true identity has been declared, His intention to go to the cross has been made known, and He has unequivocally called people to follow Him. The Kingdom of God has come, and now Jesus must go to the cross. This moment strengthens Him.
4. The Father affirms Jesus with an audible public voice from heaven. The other times this happens are at His baptism and in the week before the crucifixion.
5. This is shared with only three disciples. It is a holy, precious and intimate moment.

So, the Transfiguration is a key symbol of Jesus' Divine Nature. It is a foundational event at a significant stage in Jesus' proclamation of the Kingdom of God, and a profound moment of strengthening and divine affirmation for Jesus.

But I want to apply it a little differently:
If Jesus needed to retreat and be with the Father, how much more do we?

In 2 Corinthians 3, Paul talks about how Moses' face glowed after he had spent time with God on Mount Sinai. The glory faded, and Moses wore a veil either to stop the Israelites from being scared of his luminous face, or to hide the fact that the glory was fading.

In verse 18 Paul writes:
"And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into His likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit."

Like Moses, whose face glowed after being with God, and like Jesus, whose glory shone as He brought His frail humanity into communion with His Father - we also can shine with God's glory.

Many of us are running on empty, even though the stakes are high.
Let's learn from Jesus:
- Take time
- Retreat
- Keep it intimate
- Spend time in the Father's presence and with His Word

And I believe we'll be reminded:
"You are My child and I love you."
And I think our faces will shine!

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EmmDev 2025-06-24 [Moments with Mark] Down to Brass Tacks

Down to Brass Tacks

Then He called the crowd to Him along with His disciples and said: "If anyone would come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for Me and for the Gospel will save it. What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? If anyone is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when He comes in his Father's glory with the holy angels." And He said to them, "I tell you the truth, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God come with power." (Mark8:34-9:1)

The saying "Getting down to brass tacks" most likely comes from the upholstery trade, where upholsterers finish their work by securing fabric with strong, durable brass tacks that won't rust and maintain their strength.

Jesus "gets down to brass tacks" after Peter's "awake and asleep" moment where he sees Jesus clearly for one moment and the next, he's trying to tell the Messiah how to run His ministry. And so Jesus calls the crowd and the disciples to follow Him.

The Greek phrase for "would come after Me" is interesting: There are three words:
-thelei - which means "choose, make a decision, or will (as in act of will)
-opisō - which means "after", "in pursuit", or "behind"
-akoloutheō - which means "follow" (in proximity) or "follow" (as disciple).

So Jesus is calling us to a serious choice.
We choose to make the conscious choice to follow behind Him as a disciple..."

Here's what this serious call comes down to:

• I must deny ourself - my agenda comes second.
• I must take up my cross - people knew that if you carried a cross you were going to die.
• I must follow Him - go where He would go, love what He would love, speak like He would speak
• I can't hang on to my life, I must lose it and hold it loosely.
  (But if I do make Christ and Gospel my priority I will find real and full life.)
• I have to realise that worldly gain is to lose my soul
  and that my soul has great value - it is far more valuable than the tinsel of this world.
• I can't be ashamed of Him, even though many others are.
  I don't want Him to be be ashamed of me.
• The Kingdom of God isn't only about heaven - "pie in the sky one day when you die"
  It's a reality that is at work in our here and now.

Peter, when He tried to impose his agenda on Jesus, showed that he hadn't grasped these concepts.

So these are the "brass-tacks" - they are just like the sharp, hard and durable nails pin down the upholstery project, only these are the sharp, hard and durable principles that make up discipleship:
Deny yourself, take up your cross, follow Him in word and action, give up the unimportant stuff, don't be ashamed of Him and recognise that we're not just trying to escape this world - we're bringing His Kingdom.
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EmmDevs will be taking a break until 22 July because of our General Assembly and the Gov School holidays.

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EmmDev 2025-06-20 [Moments with Mark] Awake and Asleep at the Same Time.

Awake and Asleep at the Same Time.

Jesus and His disciples went on to the villages around Caesarea Philippi. On the way He asked them, "Who do people say I am?" They replied, "Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets." "But what about you?" He asked. "Who do you say I am?" Peter answered, "You are the Christ. " Jesus warned them not to tell anyone about Him. He then began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that He must be killed and after three days rise again. He spoke plainly about this, and Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him. But when Jesus turned and looked at His disciples, He rebuked Peter. "Get behind me, Satan!" he said. "You do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men." (Mark8:27-33)

This pivotal passage comes pretty much in the middle of Mark as Jesus is moving toward Jerusalem. Jesus asks a key identity question, and He is not looking for opinion but ownership. He moves from "Who do people say I am?" to "Who do you say I am?" The disciples need to commit.

We are not properly sensitised to the meaning of "Christ." We tend to use it as if it is kind of like a "surname" for Jesus. Christ, or "Christos" in Greek, means "Messiah", "Anointed One",simply "The One." It is a massive title and one could be stoned for using it inappropriately. All of Israel's longing and hope was fixed on the appearance of the Messiah whom they believed was God's representative who would defeat evil and restore hope. While it seems that Peter just casually drops this in conversation, it is a breathtaking moment. Matthew gives us more detail with Jesus exclaiming that Peter did not just recognise this by himself, but that the Father Himself had revealed it. Mark, in his typical punchy journalist style, is content to let Peter do the mic drop - "You are the Christ"

I have a good colleague friend and mentor, Malan Nel, who always talks about Jesus the Christ.
This is helpful - it reminds me that He's not just a carpenter with the name Jesus (which was a very common variant of Joshua which means "God saves") but that He has a title - a very big one.

Sadly, as awake as Peter is to who Jesus is, he falls spiritually asleep in the very next paragraph. Death and sacrifice weren't concepts that fitted with the Jewish expectation of a victorious Messiah and so when Jesus talks about these realities, Peter, backed by the disciples, scolds Jesus for being so negative.

Interestingly, as Jesus rebuked Peter, He was also looking at the disciples.
It is a stinging rebuke.
By trying to make Jesus conform to their triumphalistic expectations, Peter and the disciples were actually doing the work of Satan.

We cannot separate the Messiah from the price He will pay for all of us.

Christians are often criticised for speaking of the blood of Christ and the sacrifice on the cross.

It's not comfortable, but it is vital.

So, in a nutshell, we have four key theological take-home points:
1. The importance of personally owning the identity of Jesus.
2. The true meaning and weight of calling Jesus "Christ."
3. The discomfort we have with the idea of a suffering Messiah.
4. The relevance of sacrifice and cross-centered theology in discipleship.

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EmmDev 2025-06-18 [Moments with Mark] Sometimes it's a process...

Sometimes it's a process...

They came to Bethsaida, and some people brought a blind man and begged Jesus to touch him. He took the blind man by the hand and led him outside the village. When He had spit on the man's eyes and put His hands on him, Jesus asked, "Do you see anything?" He looked up and said, "I see people; they look like trees walking around." Once more Jesus put His hands on the man's eyes. Then his eyes were opened, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly. Jesus sent him home, saying, "Don't go into the village." (Mark8:22-26)

Mark mentions two healings that take place using saliva - the deaf man in the Decapolis and now the blind man of Bethsaida. As I mentioned with the healing of the deaf man, saliva was a means of healing used by loving parents and traditional healers. For a parent it spoke of spontaneous intimacy and in traditional healing it was an accepted and understood ritual.

In both cases Jesus takes them to one side. This is a very considerate gesture as receiving hearing and sight could be very overwhelming in the face of the crowd. Furthermore, the intimate nature of the healing deserves privacy.

The healing of deafness and blindness were powerful signs of Jesus' identity and power and this sets the scene for the coming conversation Jesus will have with His disciples regarding His identity. Scholars also note that this miracle marks the next phase of Jesus' ministry. Up until now He has been ministering in Galilee but now He will start moving towards Jerusalem. This section continues until the end of chapter 10 where Jesus heals "blind Bartimaeus." This repeated healing of the blind is very striking when we consider that Jesus talked about spiritual blindness a lot in the last two chapters...

There is one more unusual feature and that is that this healing happened in stages. There is no other healing account like this. The deaf-mute man instantly heard and spoke. The lame man walked immediately, even though his muscles must have been severely atrophied. But the blind man is healed in phases.

It's important to note that Jesus is not caught by surprise - it isn't a case of "Oops, that didn't work, let Me try again." Instead, Jesus deliberately heals the man progressively.

Once again, we see Jesus' compassion. It is likely He knew the man would struggle to cope with the sudden transition from complete blindness to full sight, so He heals him in steps - allowing him to adjust and not be overwhelmed.

So too, when we move from spiritual blindness to spiritual sightedness, many of us take the journey in phases. In fact, even in yesterday's account of the disciples' lack of faith, we see evidence of a gradual awakening - "a conversion in phases." And this is how many of us have come to faith...

Here are three comforting thoughts to consider:
1. Jesus deals with each of us personally and intimately.
2. Jesus brings light into darkness and opens blind eyes (physically and spiritually).
3. Jesus doesn't overwhelm us - His journey with us is step by step.

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EmmDev 2025-06-17 [Moments with Mark] None so blind... #2

None so blind... #2

The disciples had forgotten to bring bread, except for one loaf they had with them in the boat. "Be careful," Jesus warned them. "Watch out for the yeast of the Pharisees and that of Herod." They discussed this with one another and said, "It is because we have no bread." Aware of their discussion, Jesus asked them: "Why are you talking about having no bread? Do you still not see or understand? Are your hearts hardened? Do you have eyes but fail to see, and ears but fail to hear? And don't you remember? When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many basketfuls of pieces did you pick up?" "Twelve," they replied. "And when I broke the seven loaves for the four thousand, how many basketfuls of pieces did you pick up?" They answered, "Seven." He said to them, "Do you still not understand?" (Mark8:14-21)

The disciples had forgotten to bring bread.
Jesus was thinking about the Pharisees and their cynical doubt which spread like wildfire... or like yeast... (Yeast is the fastest multiplying organism that we know of.)

But the disciples make it about themselves.
They think He's scolding them about forgetting bread.
They're missing the point entirely!
Jesus is talking about spiritual yeast.

And part of that is because they haven't yet processed what they have seen.
They've experienced Jesus feeding the 5000 and 4000.
They've seen the baskets full of leftovers.
If Jesus can simply multiply bread, then why should He be upset about the fact that they only have one loaf of bread?

Sadly, we are often guilty of a spiritual blindness.
We've read John 3:16 hundreds of times.
We've heard the gospel many many times.
We know about the thief on the cross and Simon Peter who both were forgiven.
We've heard so many sermons about God's grace.
We've heard so many testimonies about how He can change a life.

But then when we're asked about eternity we answer something like: "Well I hope I've done enough for St Peter to open the gate."

We keep making it about ourselves.
We talk about grace and live by law.
We can find ourselves going through the motions.
We hear the truths.

But we haven't processed them...

Maybe it's time we take a long hard look at:
- all that we know about Jesus
- all that Jesus has done for us
- and all we have experienced of His love and power.

Are there areas in our lives where we still live as though grace isn't enough?
May we take our eyes off ourselves and look more at Him.

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EmmDev 2025-06-13 [Moments with Mark] None so blind...

None so blind...

The Pharisees came and began to question Jesus. To test Him, they asked Him for a sign from heaven. He sighed deeply and said, "Why does this generation ask for a miraculous sign? I tell you the truth, no sign will be given to it." Then He left them, got back into the boat and crossed to the other side. The disciples had forgotten to bring bread, except for one loaf they had with them in the boat. "Be careful," Jesus warned them. "Watch out for the yeast of the Pharisees and that of Herod." (Mark8:11-15)

Mark shows us how the opposition to Jesus mounted steadily...

Here in chapter 8 the Pharisees travel all the way from Jerusalem to the region of the Decapolis, east and southeast of the Sea of Galilee. It was a predominantly Gentile area and the Pharisees would consider it "unclean."

They travelled a long way, into an area that was not comfortable for them and risked damaging their religious credibility."

Their intention was not friendly either - they were adversarial and their goal was to "test" Him. The Greek word is peirazō is often translated as trial, hardship, test, or even entrapment They demand a "sign from heaven" from Him. Even the feeding of the 4,000 was not enough to satisfy them - they wanted something dramatic - something like a voice or fire from heaven.

Jesus sighs deeply and does not give in to their manipulations.
Whatever He did would not have satisfied them.
Because...
... there are none so blind
... as those who will not see.

Jesus leaves them behind, but their negativity stays with Him.
When the disciples are short of bread it makes Jesus think of yeast.
Just a little yeast spreads through the dough and influences it, the cynicism, negativity and self-righteousness of the Pharisees can spread into other hearts too.

We should be careful too...
The blindness of those who will not see can poison us as well...

Where am I missing the signs of God's work because of pride or cynicism?

When we see people going out of their way to harass, question or test those who are doing good work, then let us beware: their brand of cynical superiority and self-righteousness is both dangerous and infectious.

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EmmDev 2025-06-12 [Moments with Mark] Another Feeding

Another Feeding

During those days another large crowd gathered. Since they had nothing to eat, Jesus called His disciples to Him and said, "I have compassion for these people; they have already been with Me three days and have nothing to eat. If I send them home hungry, they will collapse on the way, because some of them have come a long distance." His disciples answered, "But where in this remote place can anyone get enough bread to feed them?" "How many loaves do you have?" Jesus asked. "Seven," they replied. He told the crowd to sit down on the ground. When He had taken the seven loaves and given thanks, He broke them and gave them to His disciples to set before the people, and they did so. They had a few small fish as well; He gave thanks for them also and told the disciples to distribute them. The people ate and were satisfied. Afterward the disciples picked up seven basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. About four thousand men were present. (Mark8:1-9)

This is the second time Jesus feeds a large number of people with very little food. Let's pick up the similarities and differences...

We'll start with the SIMILARITIES:

• A large crowd has gathered again. Even among the Gentiles, people are attracted to Jesus. They travelled far and long in the hot sun to listen to Him.
• Jesus has compassion on them again. In the first feeding, He sees the crowd as shepherdless sheep, and even now He is deeply moved with compassion. (The Greek word for compassion implies deep feeling.)
• The disciples are stretched as Jesus shares the problem. It seems that, in both feeding events Jesus very deliberately pushes the disciples to think about the problem and not just shrug their shoulders.
• Jesus instructs the crowd to sit down in an orderly fashion, and He gives thanks. This is very important in that it encourages dignity, respect and gratitude.
• The miracle happens. Many people are fed with very little food.

Now we look at the DIFFERENCES:

• There are few small fish but seven loaves instead of five. This is not a significant material difference, but it does emphasise that these are two separate events and not just a repetition.
• Jesus is on the other side of the Sea of Galilee - among the ten cities ("Decapolis"). The last time He was here, he cast the legion of demons out of the Gerasene Grave Guy (GGG) (See EmmDevs of 6-9 May) and people asked Him to leave. Mark tells us that the GGG went all through the Decapolis telling about what God had done. So now, when Jesus returns, the Gentile crowds are hungry for His compassion and love. And although it's a different context and different circumstances, Jesus treats them with the same love and the same grace.

There's much to consider...

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EmmDev 2025-06-11 [Moments with Mark] He does everything well

He does everything well

Then Jesus left the vicinity of Tyre and went through Sidon, down to the Sea of Galilee and into the region of the Decapolis. There some people brought to Him a man who was deaf and could hardly talk, and they begged Him to place His hand on the man. After He took him aside, away from the crowd, Jesus put His fingers into the man's ears. Then He spit and touched the man's tongue. He looked up to heaven and with a deep sigh said to him, "Ephphatha!" (which means, "Be opened!"). At this, the man's ears were opened, his tongue was loosened and he began to speak plainly. Jesus commanded them not to tell anyone. But the more He did so, the more they kept talking about it. People were overwhelmed with amazement. "He has done everything well," they said. "He even makes the deaf hear and the mute speak." (Mark7:31-36)

There are a few important things to see here:

Jesus went through Tyre and Sidon. In the OT Tyre and Sidon represented the heartland of Gentile idolatry and foreign influence. Jezebel the foreign wife who corrupted Ahab was from Sidon. Isaiah, Ezekiel, Amos and Joel all predict the destruction of Tyre and Sidon because of their evil. Jesus goes even to these places to proclaim the Good News.

Ironically, Jesus finds more faith in Tyre and Sidon than He does in Israel. Note His words in Mt.11:21 "Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago..." Sadly, we sometimes find more real faith in the world than in the church.

It's amazing how quickly people create formulas. They crowd brought the man to Jesus for Him to "place His hand" upon the deaf and mute man. We quickly develop fixed ideas about how God works and what He does and doesn't do. I once heard a very dogmatic person say "My Jesus would never do X,Y or Z..." to which I answered "And there's your problem - He's not your Jesus."

Jesus heals the man personally and uniquely. He takes Him away and uses very intimate measures. He touches the ears and tongue. He spits, He sighs, He speaks a breathy word ("Ephphatha" just sounds like breath doesn't it? The man couldn't hear it but he probably felt it.) We don't like the spit idea, but spit was often used in healing rituals. Modern science tells us that saliva has some disinfecting qualities and parents have licked their fingers to wipe smears off kiddies faces for centuries. Imagine being deaf and mute and being given the gift of privacy and being attended to so intimately.

The healing is profound. Not only does the man here, but speech arrives/returns. Vocal chords and lips that could hardly talk are now able to articulate and speak plainly. A brain that hasn't heard at all or formed words well can now do all of that. It's a hugely significant healing.

The crowd are deeply impacted. He does everything well. He cares for the whole person. In His teaching, healing and handling of people, Jesus does everything well.

Which of these thoughts stood out to you?
Take a moment to thank God for what you saw/learned today.

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EmmDev 2025-06-10 [Moments with Mark] Tongue-In-Cheek Subversiveness.

Tongue-In-Cheek Subversiveness.

Jesus left that place and went to the vicinity of Tyre. He entered a house and did not want anyone to know it; yet He could not keep his presence secret. In fact, as soon as she heard about Him, a woman whose little daughter was possessed by an evil spirit came and fell at His feet. The woman was a Greek, born in Syrian Phoenicia. She begged Jesus to drive the demon out of her daughter. "First let the children eat all they want," He told her, "for it is not right to take the children's bread and toss it to their dogs." "Yes, Lord," she replied, "but even the dogs under the table eat the children's crumbs." Then He told her, "For such a reply, you may go; the demon has left your daughter." She went home and found her child lying on the bed, and the demon gone. (Mark7:24-30)

This passage addresses the pride and prejudice prevalent in Jesus' time:
Jews considered themselves "the chosen people of God". Samaritans and Jews hated each other, the Romans persecuted everyone and surrounding nations cheered when Jerusalem was destroyed.

Some people interpret this passage as a moment where Jesus' mind was changed. They suggest that Jesus was a product of the racism and classism of the time, and that the woman's persistence and clever answer changed His mind.

But there are problems with this interpretation:

• Did Jesus truly view her as less important?
  However, this contradicts His other actions:
  - He healed Centurion's servant and a Samaritan leper
  - He opened heaven to the thief on the cross who technically speaking was cursed by God.
• Did Jesus actually classify her as a dog?
  - But He told the story of the Good Samaritan
  - and happily let Andrew introduce Him to Greek seekers. (Joh12:21)
  - This is also not consistent with the mandate given to the Jews to be a light to the nations
• Was His heart really that cold in the face of a child's need when we see Him going all the way to Jairus' house to raise a child from the dead and made pronouncements like "let the little children come to me?"

So what's happening here?

It's likely that the Jews had a similar saying, akin to our own "Charity starts at home."
It's possible that the Jews said: "It is not right to take the children's bread and toss it to the dogs."
But Jesus' answer to her is enigmatic and mischievous because He uses a diminutive form for the word "dog". The word can be translated as "housedogs", "lapdogs" or "doggies."

By using the dimuntive term, Jesus might very well be emphasizing that even dogs, often seen as inferior or unclean, are brought into homes and become "doggies" and "lapdogs" valued and cared for by their masters. This could be a subtle way of highlighting the inherent worth and dignity of all creatures, including the Gentiles. In this way, Jesus' statement breaks down the hierarchical, class and race barriers people create.

And the woman seems to get it... because her answer is clever and subversive, giving Jesus a way to help her "legitimately".

There is a distinct playfulness about this encounter that subverts the classism and racism of the day.

Jesus gives her much more than crumbs and He commends her subversive faith because she sees God more clearly than Judaism does.

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EmmDev 2025-06-06 [Moments with Mark] From the Inside Out

From the Inside Out

Again Jesus called the crowd to Him and said, "Listen to Me, everyone, and understand this. Nothing outside a man can make him 'unclean' by going into him. Rather, it is what comes out of a man that makes him 'unclean.' " After He had left the crowd and entered the house, His disciples asked Him about this parable. "Are you so dull?" He asked. "Don't you see that nothing that enters a man from the outside can make him 'unclean'? For it doesn't go into his heart but into his stomach, and then out of his body." (In saying this, Jesus declared all foods "clean.") He went on: "What comes out of a man is what makes him 'unclean.' For from within, out of men's hearts, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. All these evils come from inside and make a man 'unclean.' " (Mark7:14-23)

The Pharisees were obsessed with externals - ritual hand-washing, kosher diets, visible donations in the temple.

And let's be honest, rituals may be tedious, but they're measurable and safe.
Washed hands?
Check!
Avoided pork?
Check!
Donated to the temple (even though my parents suffer)?
Check!

These externals can be managed and appearances can be maintained.

But Jesus turns it all on its head - It's about the fruit.
- What fruit does the tree bear?
- What kind of water comes from the well?
- What comes out of you when you are squeezed?

This is what is significant.
It's a truth so obvious that the disciples miss it.
They think it's more complicated.
They think there has to be a recipe to follow or a rulebook to adhere to.

Mark recognises the huge significance - Jesus has hereby declared all foods "clean."

It's not about the stomach but about the HEART.
(And remember - in Hebrew culture the heart is not the seat of emotion but the control room or wellspring of life)

There's nothing wrong with healthy eating and exercise.
But let's realise that true and meaningful change comes from the INSIDE working OUT.

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EmmDev 2025-06-05 [Moments with Mark] A Religious Cover-Up

A Religious Cover-Up

And He said to them: "You have a fine way of setting aside the commands of God in order to observe your own traditions! For Moses said, 'Honor your father and your mother,' and, 'Anyone who curses his father or mother must be put to death.' But you say that if a man says to his father or mother: 'Whatever help you might otherwise have received from me is Corban' (that is, a gift devoted to God), then you no longer let him do anything for his father or mother. Thus you nullify the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down. And you do many things like that." (Mark7:9-13)

When Samuel rebuked Saul for sparing an enemy that he should have destroyed, he said "To obey is better than sacrifice..."

A thousand years later, the religious leaders were still getting this wrong. Corban was a practice they instituted that allowed children to disregard the Fifth Commandment and the long-standing cultural traditions of caring for their parents by simply claiming that their financial and material care was an offering devoted to God. The problem was that there was no accountability for this vow. No one would ensure that the money, goods or time were actually used for God's glory.

It was a neat way to look good and use God as a cover-up.
"I'd really love to do more for my parents, but I'm giving so much to the church now..."

There are two issues here: Priorities and not using God as a cover-up.
When it comes to priorities I learned a long time ago that our priorities need to be:

1. God (not church but our personal relationship with Him)
2. Our family (nuclear first and then extended and sometimes extended need to move down the queue)
   This doesn't mean that we play fast and loose with our jobs because without our jobs we can't provide for our families.
   But wherever I can I put family before job.
3. Our jobs
4. Our church
5. Our friends, hobbies etc.

Adriaan Plass, a well-known Christian author and humourist, tells the story of a man who is appointed as an elder in his church. He makes himself available to help his district. He offers lifts, lends out his car and does handyman work for people in need. As people begin to take advantage of his generosity (and his egocentric need to please people) he neglects his own family by not being there for his son's soccer games and his wife is washing clothes in the bath because he hasn't fixed the washing machine. When they gently complain, he accuses them of being unspiritual and not supporting the work of the church.

One day he gets home to find a note on the table from his wife indicating that there is a church family in great need waiting at a table in the local takeaway café. He drops everything to rush across and he finds his wife and son at the table and the scales fall from his eyes and he realises that he'd fallen into a trap of wrong priorities.

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EmmDev 2025-06-04 [Moments with Mark] Contaminated

Contaminated

The Pharisees and some of the teachers of the law who had come from Jerusalem gathered around Jesus and saw some of His disciples eating food with hands that were "unclean," that is, unwashed. (The Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they give their hands a ceremonial washing, holding to the tradition of the elders. When they come from the marketplace they do not eat unless they wash. And they observe many other traditions, such as the washing of cups, pitchers and kettles. ) So the Pharisees and teachers of the law asked Jesus, "Why don't your disciples live according to the tradition of the elders instead of eating their food with 'unclean' hands?" He replied, "Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites; as it is written: " 'These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men.' You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to the traditions of men." (Mark7:1-8)

It's important to consider the wider context. Jesus has been amongst the crowds where He has been touching people and healing them. They've been on the road and often eaten on the road.

Enter the "Phastidious Pharisees" and their hand-washing...
Mark is clear - they aren't worried about actual dirt on their hands.
In the original Greek, Mark doesn't use the word "ceremonial" but talks about "washing with the fist." This was an elaborate prescribed methodology of washing demanded by the Scribes. It was all about the ritual and not so much about actual cleaning. You could use water and wash your hands, but if you did not do it in the prescribed way you would still be "unclean."

What it reveals is the fact that the Pharisees believed that they could be ritually contaminated by the "common" people. The word he uses for "unclean" is "koine" which means common or everyday Greek. We know this word from the phrase "Koine Greek" which describes the dialect of Greek used by the common people of Jesus' time.

This kind of "holier than thou" spirituality seeks to "demonise" or "commonise" every day people and make the faithful seem exclusive and superior. It's a tradition that is passed down from people rather than an ordinance from God.

The Church is meant to be a place of grace. Sadly we often make up all sorts of norms and practices that keep others out. These norms and practices become the core instead of the periphery of our gathering and keep some people far from His love.

We've all read the beautiful story of the young barefoot hippie student who comes to church, and, when none of the suited-and-tied congregation members let him join them in "their" pew, he sits down on the floor in the aisle. Then one of the oldest and most dignified members shuffles down the aisle, and, instead of scolding the young man, he labouriously lowers himself to the ground to welcome the young man and keep him company during the service.

He got it - the Pharisees just didn't.

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EmmDev 2025-06-03 [Moments with Mark] Wherever He went

Wherever He went

When they had crossed over, they landed at Gennesaret and anchored there. As soon as they got out of the boat, people recognized Jesus. They ran throughout that whole region and carried the sick on mats to wherever they heard He was. And wherever He went - into villages, towns or countryside - they placed the sick in the marketplaces. They begged Him to let them touch even the edge of his cloak, and all who touched Him were healed. (Mark6:53-55)

This section is Mark's ongoing portrayal of Jesus as the self-emptying Son of Man who came to serve and not to be served.

Wherever Jesus went, He was recognised.
Wherever Jesus went, people brought their needs.
Wherever Jesus went, healing happened.

Jesus' presence caused ripples in the physical, emotional and spiritual atmosphere. It was a taste of the Kingdom of God and the world to come. The crowds mobbed Him, and He was swamped with the need and brokenness of the world He came to save. Marketplaces became hospitals, and the hem of His garment became a powerful extension of His grace and love.

It was a beautiful picture of the love of God. The healings happened even though the crowds were fickle - even though another crowd would later shout, "Crucify Him."

It's that edge of His cloak that grabs my attention...
On the one hand, it feels so mercenary and open to abuse - people could just come and touch it for healing - like Jesus was just like some sort of healing battery and you didn't even have to interact with Him.
On the other hand, it feels so generous and so incredibly powerful - people didn't have to wait for Him to say an incantation or go through the motions. They also didn't need to tell their story or state their case. They could simply come near and experience beautiful healing love.

As the church, we should be the hem of Jesus' garment - a place of incredible healing and love.
Yes, people will be mercenary and even abusive, but the generosity of love will speak even louder.

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EmmDev 2025-05-29 [Treasure Cupboard] ADD

ADD

After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. "Men of Galilee," they said, "why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven." (Acts1:9-11)

In South Africa, Ascension Day used to be a public holiday. Since it always fell on a Thursday, it created a long weekend---schools would close, and we would use it for Youth Camps. These are good memories...

So when we talk about Ascension Day in our new context, the first thing people say is: "What a pity it isn't a public holiday any more..." But, if pushed, I wonder how many of us would know why the Ascension of Jesus is important to us.

I wonder if we suffer from A.D.D...
(Ascension Deficit Disorder)...

The Ascension is vitally important in God's Salvation Plan. Here are seven key truths about the Ascension:

1. Jesus has completed His Priestly Ministry: He sits at God's right hand.
   His sacrifice was sufficient. Our sins are completely forgiven. There is nothing more that needs to be done.
2. He has taken our humanity into heaven - Paul tells us that Jesus is the "firstfruit" of the resurrection. We won't be disembodied spirits floating on clouds. We'll have bodies, but we won't be limited by time and space. And, most importantly, Jesus does not discard His humanity - He is "not a high priest who is unfamiliar with our struggles" (Heb.4:15)
3. Jesus sends the Holy Spirit - The Risen and Ascended Lord Jesus, having cleansed and forgiven us, sends His Spirit into our hearts so that we can experience Christ's presence from within and His power can work in and through us.
4. He entrusts His work (making disciples) to us - Our lives have meaning and purpose. We are God's co-workers and He includes us in His work of reaching the world.
5. Jesus intercedes in prayer for us - Jesus, having experienced our humanity, prays for us. He knows hunger, tiredness, betrayal, pain, heartache and loss. What incredible prayers these must be.
6. He prepares a place for us - It's an incredible thought that Jesus, like a gracious host, prepares a place for us. We see this beautifully illustrated when Stephen is stoned. The Ascended Jesus who is seated at the Father's right hand is seen by Stephen - and He is standing to welcome His servant home.
7. He will return and will judge the living and the dead - CS Lewis wrote that our longing for justice is proof that heaven exists. We don't always find justice on earth. But Jesus, the righteous Judge, will balance the books and right the wrongs. Either people will accept His forgiveness and His death will pay their debt, or they will have to pay it themselves, but whichever way it goes - Justice will prevail

These great ascension truths should give us reason to rejoice and give thanks.
So maybe instead of having Ascension Deficit Disorder we should ADD:
Add thanks that He completed the work of our forgiveness
Add hope that He understands our humanity and we have resurrection hope
Add gratitude that His Spirit is in us
Add conviction to share in the work of sharing His love with the world
Add comfort that we are prayed for by Someone who knows our humanity
Add confidence that our place in eternity is secure
Add peace because this broken world will come to an end and a new world is coming

Can I get a Hallelujah?

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EmmDev 2025-05-28 [Moments with Mark] Water Walker and Doubting Disciples

Water Walker and Doubting Disciples

He saw the disciples straining at the oars, because the wind was against them. About the fourth watch of the night He went out to them, walking on the lake. He was about to pass by them, but when they saw Him walking on the lake, they thought He was a ghost. They cried out, because they all saw Him and were terrified. Immediately He spoke to them and said, "Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid." Then He climbed into the boat with them, and the wind died down. They were completely amazed, for they had not understood about the loaves; their hearts were hardened. (Mark6:48-52)

My favourite part about Jesus walking on the water is how Jesus invites Peter to join Him out on the water. Mark doesn't include that part of the story, probably because he was a protégé of Peter and didn't want his mentor to look bad.

But leaving out the "Peter interlude" also gives this account a more sombre tone especially as one looks at Mark's concluding comment about their hardened hearts.

To unpack this, we need to consider what the disciples have already seen. They've seen miracles of healing and exorcism. Faith moved a few friends to lower a paralysed man through the roof and Jesus healed Him. They've heard demons address Jesus as the Son of God. A raging storm was tamed with a word and a demonic wild graveyard resident was restored to full humanity. Most recently an impossibly huge crowd was fed by sharing an impossibly small lunch.

Now, after all they have experienced, they see Jesus walking on the water. What's sad is that they automatically assume the worst - "It's a ghost!" And when He climbs into the boat, the wind dies down and they are completely amazed.

Now the Greek here is telling: Mark uses the root word "existēmi" which means to be "amazed", "blown away" or "gobsmacked" and he strengthens this already strong word with two modifiers - "lian" ("greatly") and "ekperissōs" ("beyond abundant"). By doing this Mark is creating the impression that this event completely blew them out of the water (pardon the pun) and blindsided them.

Sadly, this gobsmacked amazement is not positive in the sense of "wonder" or "awe", it reflects an unwillingness to assimilate the clues they've had so far. Their response should have been "Oh look He's doing something amazing again, but I guess that's what we can expect when He is who He is - truly the Son of God." But instead they are just unable to allow Jesus to be more than just a man. They just can't grasp the idea that He is God with us.

Today, sadly, we are sometimes too astonished when God does something miraculous. When we pray to the Creator of Heaven and Earth who gave His Son and raised Him from the dead, why should we be utterly gobsmacked when He answers? I'm not saying that we shouldn't be grateful and filled with wonder and awe. But sometimes our amazement reflects expectations that were far too small.

The disciples hearts were hardened, they struggled to raise their expectations.
Let's make sure we don't do the same...

One of my favourite analogies is about children's rhyme where the pussy cat goes to London to see the Queen. What did he do there? He frightened a mouse from under her chair. Talk about low expectations! He could have sat on her lap and drank a bowl of cream. But all he did was frighten a mouse. When we come to worship the God of the Universe what are our expectations? He invites us to expect big things!

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