EmmDev 2026-03-20 [Moments with Mark] Rejected

Rejected

Those who passed by hurled insults at Him, shaking their heads and saying, "So! You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, come down from the cross and save yourself!" In the same way the chief priests and the teachers of the law mocked Him among themselves. "He saved others," they said, "but He can't save himself! Let this Christ, this King of Israel, come down now from the cross, that we may see and believe." Those crucified with him also heaped insults on him. (Mark15:29-32)

It's a three-fold rejection.
- From the crowd.
- From the people who should have recognised Him.
- Even from the two crucifixion criminals.

Imagine being utterly rejected by those you came to save.

And dying for them anyway...

---

EmmDev 2026-03-19 [Moments with Mark] Stark Contrast

Stark Contrast

The written notice of the charge against Him read: THE KING OF THE JEWS. They crucified two robbers with Him, one on His right and one on His left. (Mark15:26-27)

From the other gospels we learn that it was Pilate who had the sign written for the cross.
Here's how John describes it:
"Pilate had a notice prepared and fastened to the cross. It read: JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS.
Many of the Jews read this sign, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city, and the sign was written in Aramaic, Latin and Greek.
The chief priests of the Jews protested to Pilate, "Do not write 'The King of the Jews,' but that this man claimed to be king of the Jews."
Pilate answered, "What I have written, I have written." (John 19:19-22)

It is very likely that Pilate wrote this to anger and ridicule the Jews. ("Look at your king on the cross")
It was also a veiled threat that anyone who wanted to be a political leader in opposition to Rome would suffer the same fate.
But the chief priests were quick to nitpick - they were worried - many people would see the sign.
Perhaps they were worried that some would make the connection to Isaiah 53 which is about the suffering Messiah.
So they wanted the sign tweaked to say that Jesus had made a false claim.

Up to now Pilate has come across weak and indecisive. In this moment he is decisive and firm of purpose.
His sign became the silent preacher, explaining the tragedy and triumph playing out beneath it.

In sharp contrast to the sign which proclaimed the royalty of the One being crucified, we see Him crucified between two criminals. The Greek word that is translated here as "robbers" is "lēstai" and it had the connotation of "guerrilla fighters", "revolutionaries", or "anti-Roman insurgents." Barabbas, the murderer, was also counted as a "lēstai". These are not petty criminals, they are enemies of the state.

Jesus is crucified between them, and it seems that the purpose was to imply that He was the worst of them.
(The one criminal actually later acknowledges that he has done things that deserve being crucified.)
Initially Jesus will be subjected to their derision, but later one of them comes to faith.

So we have a stark contrast.
A sign proclaiming greatness is meant as mockery and warning, but it actually conveys a great truth.
The providing of "bad company" is meant to besmirch character but leads to salvation.
The King is condemned among rebels so that rebels like us might go free.

---

EmmDev 2026-03-18 [Moments with Mark] Six Hours One Passover Friday

Six Hours One Passover Friday

It was the third hour when they crucified Him... At the sixth hour darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour... And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?" With a loud cry, Jesus breathed His last... (Mark15:25-37)

Back then, time was measured from sunrise. So the third hour is 9h00, the sixth is 12h00 and the ninth is 15h00.

For the next few days we'll explore Mark's account of the six hours Jesus spent on the cross.
Bear in mind that the first three hours of the day (before the third hour) consisted of an ambush; lies; accusations; manipulations; trials before high priests, Herod and Pilate; a crowd shouting "crucify Him"; soldiers mocking; a flogging; and the arduous "Via Dolorosa."

Then, at the third hour, they crucified Him.

The physical agony has been well documented.
And occasionally we do have to think about it.
His raw encounter with pain reminds us that
- when we are in pain, He understands
- when human beings are incredibly cruel, He understands
- when we are exposed, powerless and completely at the mercy of others, He understands

But there's more than physical agony.
In the first three hours Jesus endured worst human beings can offer. They've hammered nails through Him. They've gambled away His clothes and the soldiers, priests, thieves, and the crowd have mocked. He is alone apart from a few women and John (who was probably just a teenager.) They're not really able to comfort Him. In fact, He lovingly comforts them: giving Mary a God-son and John a God-mom.

But there's more than social humiliation.
In the second three hours it goes dark for three hours.
This is symbolic of the darkness of our sin that now rested on Jesus.
In these three hours He is experiencing Divine Judgement and Wrath:
My eternity without God, your eternity without God, everyone's eternity without God.
Only three hours by our time.
For Him, it is eternal consequences, being carried on shoulders attached to nail-pierced hands.

...It's Passover...
In the temple courts and in homes people are preparing in the strange darkness.
They're slaughtering Passover lambs, preparing unleavened bread, and making bitter herb sauce.

But for six hours the "Lamb who takes away the sins of the world" has been hanging on the cross.
For three of those hours He has been abandoned by people.
For three of those hours He has been literally God-forsaken.

If we combine all the gospels, big things happen at the end of the sixth hour on the cross.
- He cries out in the agony of forsakenness.
- He breathes His last, He gives up His Spirit, He pronounces "It is finished!" (Done, Paid in Full)
- The temple curtain tears from top to bottom
- Graves split open and dead people rise because, death too is defeated.
- Our sins are forgiven, our penalty paid.

And the Roman Centurion declares "Surely this was the Son of God!"

---

EmmDev 2026-03-17 [Moments with Mark] Fully Present

Fully Present

They brought Jesus to the place called Golgotha (which means The Place of the Skull). Then they offered Him wine mixed with myrrh, but He did not take it. And they crucified Him. Dividing up His clothes, they cast lots to see what each would get. (Mark15:22-24)

There are three thoughts that stand out in today's passage:

• Golgotha: Just the mention of the name must have given people chills. The word means "Place of the Skull." Some have suggested that it is a hill outside Jerusalem that actually looks like a skull, others argue that none of the gospels mention a hill, and that the name simply comes from what was done there. Either way, it is chilling.
  
  Years ago, I did the pedal project, where I cycled 1100km to raise funds for under-resourced congregations. I completed my target distance just outside Belfast, near the Engen Garage. As we rode in, there was a hill with three crosses. It was a moment that right-sized me. I was quite proud of my 11 days in the saddle, but the hill with the three crosses reminded me of a much bigger price paid.
  
  When Jesus, the soldiers and the crowds arrived at "skull place" - there would have been a chilling sense of reality and gravity. 
  
  
• Fully Present: We normally use this in a positive sense. When we're playing with our kids or on a date with our loved one, we should strive to be "fully present." By refusing the wine mixed with myrrh, which was a rough and ready narcotic, Jesus was choosing to be fully present. He chose to be present to the pain and humiliation, so that He could fulfil prophecy, comfort Mary and John, assure a fellow victim of Eternity and surrender His life for us. He was never out of control. We didn't take His life - He gave it for us.
  
  
• Stripped: Crucifixion was brutal. Jesus was flogged, beaten, mocked, made to carry the cross to the point of collapse, and now they nailed Him to the cross so that He could not move. On top of that, He was stripped naked, which maximises a sense of vulnerability. Then callous soldiers made a game of dividing up His clothes.
  
  A few years ago my Lent fast was to stop shaving. Within days my stubble started itching and I itched until I could shave the beard on Easter Sunday. During that time I imagined not being able to scratch my face because my hands were nailed to the cross. It was profoundly humbling.

So the moment has come.
The Son of God is crucified.
We should stand in silent awe.

---

EmmDev 2026-03-06 [Moments with Mark] Simon, the Father of Alexander and Rufus

Simon, the Father of Alexander and Rufus

A certain man from Cyrene, Simon, the father of Alexander and Rufus, was passing by on his way in from the country, and they forced him to carry the cross. They brought Jesus to the place called Golgotha (which means The Place of the Skull). (Mark15:21-22)

Gospel Singer Ray Boltz wrote and performed the song below in the 80s. It beautifully imagines the back story of Simon of Cyrene...
You can listen to it here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=a92Nejt8BRA.

WATCH THE LAMB (Ray Boltz)

Walking on the road to Jerusalem
The time had come to sacrifice again
My two small sons, they walked beside me on the road
The reason that they came was to watch the lamb

And they said, "Daddy, Daddy, what will we see there?
There's so much that we don't understand"
And so I told them of Moses and father Abraham
Then I said, "Dear children, watch the lamb"

There will be so many in Jerusalem today
We must be sure the lamb doesn't run away
And I told them of Moses and father Abraham
Then I said, "Dear children, watch the lamb"

When we reached the city, I knew something must be wrong
There were no joyful worshipers there, no joyful worship songs
And I stood there with my children in the midst of angry men
Then I heard the crowd cry out, let's crucify Him

We tried to leave the city but we could not get away
Forced to play in this drama, a part I did not wish to play
Why upon this day were men condemned to die?
Why were we standing here where soon they would pass by?

I looked and said, even now they come
The first one cried for mercy, the people gave him none
The second one was violent and he was arrogant and loud
I still here his angry voice screaming at the crowd

Then someone said, "There's Jesus", I scarce believed my eyes
A man so badly beaten, He barely looked alive
Blood poured from His body, from the thorns upon His brow
Running down the Cross, falling to the ground

I watched as He struggled, I watched Him when He fell
The cross came down upon His back, the crowd began to yell
In that moment I felt such agony, in that moment I felt such loss
Till a Roman soldier grabbed my arm and screamed
"You, carry His cross"

At first I tried to resist him, then his hand reached for his sword
So I knelt and took the Cross from the Lord
I put it on my shoulder and we started down the street
The blood that he'd been shedding was running down my cheek

They led us to Golgotha, they drove nails deep in His feet and hands
Yet upon the Cross I heard Him pray, "Father, forgive them"
Never have I seen such love in any other eyes
"Into Thy hands I commit my spirit", He prayed and then He died

I stood for what seemed like years, I'd lost all sense of time
Until I felt two little hands holding tight to mine
The children stood there weeping, I heard the oldest say
"Father please forgive us, the lamb ran away"

"Daddy, daddy, what have we seen here?
There's so much that we don't understand?"
So I took them in my arms and we turned and faced the Cross
Then I said, "Dear children watch the lamb"
----------------------------------
I will be away next week - there will be no EmmDevs....

---

EmmDev 2026-03-05 [Moments with Mark] The darkness continues...

The darkness continues...

The soldiers led Jesus away into the palace (that is, the Praetorium) and called together the whole company of soldiers. They put a purple robe on Him, then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on Him. And they began to call out to Him, "Hail, king of the Jews!" Again and again they struck Him on the head with a staff and spit on Him. Falling on their knees, they paid homage to Him. And when they had mocked Him, they took off the purple robe and put His own clothes on Him. Then they led Him out to crucify Him. (Mark15:16-20)

I did a little bit of research. It turns out that it was common practice for the Romans to scourge or flog those who were condemned to be crucified. They did it to punish and humiliate, and it made their victims more docile when they crucified them. It also hastened their death on the cross.

Yesterday I commented on Pilate handing Jesus over for flogging and crucifixion. I attributed a degree of malice and pettiness to Pilate. I don't think the fact that flogging was "standard operating practice" takes away Pilate's guilt entirely because, after all, Jesus had impacted Pilate who then declared Jesus' innocence to the crowd. Pilate did nothing to protect Him or ease His burden.

The flogging was brutal. I won't go into the details, but it left the victims severely dehydrated, weak from blood loss and in absolute agony.

On top of that the whole company of soldiers gathers to mock Him. Much of this is the result of the charge the chief priests made, accusing Jesus of claiming to be "the King of the Jews." In the soldiers' eyes this made Jesus an "enemy of the state," and so they go out of their way to ridicule and mock.

Roman floggings were so severe that historians note that some did not even survive. I find it hard to fathom that after such a flogging the soldiers would gather, mock, spit, beat, ridicule and weave a crown of thorns. But this is another reality of our brokenness. We are capable of great cruelty which we dress up as "justice."

In Isaiah 52 and 53 we find a "servant song" which powerfully depicts the suffering the Messiah will go through.
In 52:14 we read:

"Just as there were many who were appalled at Him--

His appearance was so disfigured beyond that of any man

and His form marred beyond human likeness."

Although I find it hard to stomach, Jesus' suffering here takes Him into the heart of human brokenness and cruelty...

And He enters it to rescue you and me.

Isaiah goes on to say:

He was despised and rejected by men,

a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering.

Like one from whom men hide their faces

He was despised, and we esteemed him not.

Surely He took up our infirmities

and carried our sorrows,

yet we considered Him stricken by God,

smitten by Him, and afflicted.

But He was pierced for our transgressions,

He was crushed for our iniquities;

the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him,

and by His wounds we are healed.

We all, like sheep, have gone astray,

each of us has turned to His own way;

and the LORD has laid on Him

the iniquity of us all. 

I don't think I can say it better...
I can only respond with worship and profound gratitude...

---

EmmDev 2026-03-04 [Moments with Mark] Humanity's Darkest Moment.

Humanity's Darkest Moment.

Now it was the custom at the Feast to release a prisoner whom the people requested. A man called Barabbas was in prison with the insurrectionists who had committed murder in the uprising. The crowd came up and asked Pilate to do for them what he usually did. "Do you want me to release to you the king of the Jews?" asked Pilate, knowing it was out of envy that the chief priests had handed Jesus over to him. But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have Pilate release Barabbas instead. "What shall I do, then, with the one you call the king of the Jews?" Pilate asked them. "Crucify Him!" they shouted. "Why? What crime has He committed?" asked Pilate. But they shouted all the louder, "Crucify Him!" Wanting to satisfy the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas to them. He had Jesus flogged, and handed Him over to be crucified. (Mark15:6-15)

There was a custom at Passover that Pilate would release a prisoner at the people's choosing.
Whether by accident or design, this was very appropriate for Passover which celebrated the release of Israelite slaves from Egyptian captivity. The rescue of someone who was imprisoned by the Roman regime would be a powerful message of hope.

Pilate had hoped it would be Jesus who was freed.
He knew the chief priests were envious of Jesus' influence, but I think he hoped that the crowd would vote with their hearts and free Jesus. Unfortunately the influence of the chief priests was strong enough to stir up the crowd and so their power to rescue Barabbas also became their power to condemn Jesus.

Dramatically, Pilate's appeal to Jesus' innocence, just seems to pour fuel on the crowd's fire and they shout all the louder. It is a sad feature of humanity that in our low moments we destroy the good and the beautiful - maybe because they are reminders of what we are not.

And so Pilate, in the face of inevitability, shrugs his shoulders and gives the crowd what they want.
Sometimes I feel sorry for Pilate - in order for God's will to be done, someone needed to condemn Jesus to death. The circumstances are such that Pilate makes a choice for the greater good. The life of one country preacher instead of riots and mass violence. But then Pilate does something that, in my evaluation, makes him as broken as the priests and the crowds. "He had Jesus flogged and handed Him over to be crucified."

Why have Him flogged?
He's already going to die an excruciating death (pun intended).
A Roman flogging was a terrible thing - many did not survive.
Why do that to Jesus?
I suspect this was Pilate's way of asserting his power, showing who was the boss and "putting the 'King of the Jews' in His place." I think Pilate was frustrated at Jesus' silence, His questions, His innocence. And, like the crowd and priests, he lashes out (pun intended) at the beauty and innocence of Jesus.

But in this darkest of human moments (a moment that we all, in some way, participate in) there is a glimmer of light... Barabbas, a guilty and broken man, is set free. He becomes the symbol of all of us. Although the brutality of broken humanity was directed at the sinless Son of God, He would set all of us FREE.

---

EmmDev 2026-03-03 [Moments with Mark] Innocent and yet Accepting.

Innocent and yet Accepting.

Very early in the morning, the chief priests, with the elders, the teachers of the law and the whole Sanhedrin, reached a decision. They bound Jesus, led Him away and handed Him over to Pilate. "Are You the king of the Jews?" asked Pilate. "You have said so," Jesus replied. The chief priests accused Him of many things. So again Pilate asked Him, "Aren't You going to answer? See how many things they are accusing You of." But Jesus still made no reply, and Pilate was amazed. (Mark15:1-5)

John tells the Pilate story in full detail.
Mark keeps it very brief.

In our last devotion we saw Jesus give a full answer to the question: "Are you the Messiah, the Son of God?"
Jesus' answer is clear, affirmative an unequivocal:
"I am (the Messiah and Son of God) and you'll see me return in glory. (And He quotes Scripture to back His claim.)"

In today's reading Pilate gets a much shorter and more cryptic answer.
"You have said it."
(In Greek it's just two words: "You" (emphatic) and "say" (present indicative))

What's going on here?
The difference is in the question...
Pilate's question is different: "Are You the king of the Jews?"

There's a vast difference between the two questions.
The High Priest's question is a religious one - a spiritual question.
"Are You the one sent by God to bring God's Kingdom here to earth?"

Pilate's question is based on the insinuations made by Jesus' enemies.
Mark lists them: the chief priests, with the elders, the teachers of the law and the whole Sanhedrin.
They've implied that Jesus is guilty of treason against Caesar.
They suggest that Jesus is trying to be "King of the Jews".
This is a political question and a positive answer would have been punishable by death.

But Jesus' kingdom is not an earthly kingdom - it's a Kingdom that is "not of this world" (as Jesus affirms in John's Gospel.)

So Jesus won't admit to a trumped up political framing of His mission and charge of treason.
He makes it clear that these are Pilate's words - informed by the chief priests and their cohorts.

When it comes to all the other accusations, Jesus simply remains silent.
His silence is eloquent - It indicates the baselessness of the claims but also recognises the hardness of their hearts. Nothing will change their narrative. It also indicates His submission to the Father's will and acceptance of His mission.

Mark tells us that Pilate is amazed by Jesus' demeanour.
From the other gospels we know that Pilate actually tries to intervene on Jesus' behalf.
And he attached a sign to Jesus' cross - "King of the Jews"

It is clear from all the gospel accounts that Jesus had a profound impact on Pilate.
We know that Pilate's wife even had a dream about Jesus and that Pilate actively defended Jesus at one point.
Jesus could have leveraged His influence on Pilate and turned the tables on the "religious mafia."
But He doesn't - He has a higher mission - A mission of love and sacrifice.
And so He asserts and establishes His innocence and lets them use their fabricated charges to have Him crucified.

---

EmmDev 2026-02-27 [Moments with Mark] In the Middle of the Brackets

In the Middle of the Brackets

The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for evidence against Jesus so that they could put Him to death, but they did not find any. Many testified falsely against Him, but their statements did not agree. Then some stood up and gave this false testimony against Him: "We heard Him say, 'I will destroy this man-made temple and in three days will build another, not made by man.' " Yet even then their testimony did not agree. Then the high priest stood up before them and asked Jesus, "Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?" But Jesus remained silent and gave no answer. Again the high priest asked him, "Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One?" "I am," said Jesus. "And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven." The high priest tore his clothes. "Why do we need any more witnesses?" he asked. "You have heard the blasphemy. What do you think?" They all condemned Him as worthy of death. Then some began to spit at Him; they blindfolded Him, struck Him with their fists, and said, "Prophesy!" And the guards took Him and beat Him. (Mark14:55-65)

Between the brackets of Peter's denial we have a very different scenario.
The sinless Son of God is being tried in a kangaroo court of the Religious Mafia of the day.
And they can't even get their lies to stick...

So the high priest wades in.
He's the "big gun."
He'll make something stick.

His strategy is ironic.
He asks the most important question of them all.
"Are you the Messiah - the Son of God?"

I can imagine a goose-bumpy silence settling over the room.
A positive answer should be met with awe and worship.
Here it will be met with disbelief, judgement and a death sentence.

Jesus not only answers affirmatively, but explosively.
He answers using the "I am" formula and He follows that by quoting the enthronement prophecies of Daniel 7 and Psalm 110.
It's an announcement of impending judgement.
"Yes, I am the glorious Son of God and you will see how wrong you were"

While Peter ducks the truth and the disciples run away.
Jesus stands calmly before the council and,
as He makes Himself subject to this perversion of what faith should be,
tells the truth.

The consequences of this truth are devastating.
They condemn Him to the cross and mock and torture Him.

This is the full extent of His love for us...

PS: I like to use capital letters for divine pronouns.
It's not conventional, but it's my little subversive act of worship.
Today it was tough to put in the capitals.

They all condemned Him as worthy of death...
Then some began to spit at Him...
they blindfolded Him...
struck Him with their fists...
And the guards took Him and beat Him...

Oh how He loves us!

---

EmmDev 2026-02-25 [Moments with Mark] The opening bracket and closing bracket

The opening bracket and closing bracket

They took Jesus to the high priest, and all the chief priests, elders and teachers of the law came together. Peter followed Him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest. There he sat with the guards and warmed himself at the fire. ------------- While Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the servant girls of the high priest came by. When she saw Peter warming himself, she looked closely at him. "You also were with that Nazarene, Jesus," she said. But he denied it. "I don't know or understand what you're talking about," he said, and went out into the entryway. When the servant girl saw him there, she said again to those standing around, "This fellow is one of them." Again he denied it. After a little while, those standing near said to Peter, "Surely you are one of them, for you are a Galilean." He began to call down curses on himself, and he swore to them, "I don't know this man you're talking about." Immediately the rooster crowed the second time. Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken to him: "Before the rooster crows twice you will disown me three times." And he broke down and wept. (Mark14:53-72)

Mark tells Peter's denial story in two parts...
I call them the opening and closing brackets.
These two parts give some balance to the story.

The opening bracket shows Peter following Jesus who is being taken to the high priest.
What is striking is that Mark says that Peter was following "Him", not "them."
It's a subtle nuance, but striking.
Although he had deserted and fled (after chopping off an ear) Peter is back to following Jesus.
Ironically Mark uses the same basic verb for "follow" here as he does when Jesus called Peter to "follow", but here he qualifies "followed" with "at a distance."

So there's a positive and a negative. Peter is following, but it's at a distance.

When we get to the closing bracket, Peter's "distant following" turns into a triple denial. And, as they say, "There, but for the grace of God, go you and I...."

We do need to note what comes between the brackets.
Jesus is placed before a "kangaroo court" and they can't get the evidence to stick.
So Jesus states His true identity as the Son of God, allowing them to make a charge of blasphemy.
So while Peter tries to follow but stays at a distance and then denies, Jesus springs the trap on Himself.

Two take-homes:
1. I'm comforted by Peter's humanity. I also try to follow, though sometimes at a distance, and sometimes I deny. We think that Mark wrote his gospel based on sermons by Peter. Peter found forgiveness and restoration and so there is hope for me too.

2. In spite of human failures (Peter) and evil's bungling machinations, Jesus was determined to save you and me, even to the point of springing the trap on Himself.

---

EmmDev 2026-02-24 [Moments with Mark] They fell asleep three times!!!

They fell asleep three times!!!

Then He returned to His disciples and found them sleeping. "Simon," He said to Peter, "are you asleep? Could you not keep watch for one hour? Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak." Once more He went away and prayed the same thing. When He came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. They did not know what to say to Him. Returning the third time, he said to them, "Are you still sleeping and resting? Enough! The hour has come. Look, the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. (Mark14:37-41)

Whenever I read the Gethsemane narratives I cringe over the disciples.
This is Jesus' toughest moment, but they're falling asleep.

I cringe because I'm scared that this might be true of me too.
- In a moment that I could pray, I fall asleep.
- In a moment I when could get up and be with Him, I turn over and go to sleep.
- In a moment I when could speak up for Him or someone in need, I hold my silence.
- In a moment when I could serve and step up, I bail.

If I were a gospel writer, I think I might want to gloss over the failure of the disciples. I would prefer to avoid the detail, but we are taken through this in a blow-by-blow account that describes how Jesus goes back and forth three times and each time they're asleep.
It is almost tragically comedic almost painfully ironic...
Almost...
But the truth is in Mark's pithy summary of their feelings "They did not know what to say to Him."

But there's hope in this heart-breaking illustration of human-failure.

Firstly, Jesus doesn't, after the first time, say "Humph, after all we've been through, they sleep and I'm left alone." Instead He encourages them, and urges them to lean into spiritual and not physical strength.
But they fail again and He comes back even a third time. This reveals His hope in us and His patience with us.

In the second place, His use of the word "enough" is powerful - especially when we see it with "The spirit is willing and the body is weak" and His coming cry - "It is Finished!" In our own strength we will fail and fail, but Ezekiel promised that we would be transformed - given a new heart of flesh instead of stone. Joel promised the Spirit. Isaiah promised a voice that would show us the way. Jesus is saying - "Enough of you struggling in your brokenness, the hour has come, here's my betrayer (another broken one) and I'm going to deal with this." And so Jesus opened the way on the cross and the day of Pentecost marked the coming of the Spirit who would strengthen our spirits. Instead of focusing on their failure, Jesus turns toward the hour of the cross, ready to accomplish for His weary friends what they could never accomplish on their own.

And so, instead of cringing when I read this passage, I have hope:
Hope that no matter how much I fail - Jesus will check in on me.
And that He has made a way for my brokenness to be forgiven and healed.

---

EmmDev 2026-02-20 [Lent 2026] The Heart of the Lent Journey

The Heart of the Lent Journey

I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit He prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. (John15:1-4)

This passage describes the heart of the Lent Journey.
While we may be pursuing goals, adding or subtracting from our lives, the heart of it is not the abstinence or the ticking of boxes. The heart of Lent is to be a branch connected to the Vine.
It is to remain in Him.

I'm world famous for coming up with good plans for Lent:
- "I'll get up earlier and read 3 chapters from God's Word."
- "I'll spend more time in prayer."
- "I'll cut sugar or stop shaving or cut social media"
- "I'll give more to charity or volunteer somewhere or deliberately do good"

Usually the plans are ambitious and enthusiastic and, because I'm pretty determined, I usually get them done. But the danger is that it has actually been more about ticking the boxes and achieving the goals (and the bragging rights) than it has been about staying connected to the Vine (Jesus) and remaining in connection with Him.

The other danger is that I can perceive these disciplines as a way of saving myself. But Jesus is clear, we're already clean because of the word He has spoken to us. We are clean because of the Gospel - we are saved by Grace, forgiven by Jesus and even our pruning is done by the Father.

The beautiful truth is that the Father is the Gardener.
If I stay close to Jesus and the Father, He will cut and prune and work in me.

Any "holy habits" or "lent disciplines" that I undertake are like tyre-tubes floating in the stream. We hang on to them and kick a bit but we are "carried along" by the stream of the Father's love and care - not primarily by our own efforts. Sometimes hanging on is hard and the effort shapes us and forms us, but the credit goes to Him.

So work hard in Lent - pursue God with all your heart - not your Lent Goals.
The moment it becomes more about the goals than about "remaining in Him" then reset.

A couple of years ago, I set up an ambitious set of goals for Lent.
To get it all fitted in I was getting up early, going to bed late and getting cranky when my rhythms got interrupted. I realised that while I was sincere, devoted, dedicated and sacrificial, I had lost sight of Jesus who just wanted me to bask in His love. I dropped the list and spent the rest of Lent doing only one thing: Remembering that I was deeply loved - just as I am. In other Lent Seasons, I've worked hard, but my eyes were firmly on Jesus and I grew significantly.

For this Lent - whatever you do - Remain in Him - it's the only way to bear fruit.

LENT PRAYER:
Lord, You love me and died for me.
You are at work in me.
In this Lent Season I really want to draw nearer to You.
I've set some goals, but I ask You to set the pace.
Give me the wisdom and passion to reach out to You with all I have.
But help me to be open to Your voice and course-corrections from You.
I want to bear more fruit for You Lord.
So come Holy Spirit and be my guide.
In the amazing name of Jesus.
Amen.

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EmmDev 2026-02-19 [Lent 2026] Rejuvenation

Rejuvenation

My friend, Andries Combrink, called Lent "a season of simple rejuvenation..."
This accurately captures my longing for this Lent in my heart and yours...

Isaiah 40 is a much beloved chapter.
Thematically it marks the transition where the prophecy moves from rebuke for rebellion and idolatry to a pronouncement of hope and restoration.
Historically it moves from Israel's exile in Babylon (and why it happened) and moves to the promise of a return.
Spiritually it describes the human predicament and exile in brokenness and offers us a God-given restoration!

This magnificent chapter offers hope, describes God, and invites us to a place of intimacy with Him. We're going to plumb its depths for the first few days of our "season of simple rejuvenation."

The chapter begins with assurance of Comfort...

Historically it addresses the consequence of their rebellion: Israel had ceased to rely on God and this led to a moral and spiritual breakdown that allowed a another nation to defeat them. But God has seen their brokenness. (They have received "double" for their sins - in Hebrew idiom this simply means "enough".)

God's love and the consequences for sin are difficult concepts to hold in tension until we factor in the dynamic of free will. Free will allows for wrong choices and wrong choices have consequences (that's what makes them wrong choices!) And God, who gives free will, also allows the consequences of wrong choices.

But God sees our pain - He wants to comfort and heal us.
And so begins the journey of restoration: Anticipated by Isaiah, inaugurated by Jesus and fulfilled at Calvary and the Empty Tomb.

CHALLENGE: Yesterday we confessed our sins. As you think through the consequences of our brokenness, ask God to comfort and restore you. Invite Him to begin a process of restoration in you over the season of Lent. Know that God wants to "Comfort" you.

"Comfort, comfort my people," says your God. "Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her that her hard service has been completed, that her sin has been paid for, that she has received from the LORD's hand double for all her sins." (Isaiah40:1-2)

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EmmDev 2026-02-18 [Lent 2026] Belated Ash Wednesday - Ash and Oil

Belated Ash Wednesday - Ash and Oil

Hi Everyone
Here's a belated Ash Wednesday Devotion...

Ash and Oil

A few years ago we woke up on Ash Wednesday to discover that we'd had a break-in and phones were stolen.
It made me think about Ash Wednesday in very different ways...

On Ash Wednesday we mix ash and oil and make the sign of the cross on our foreheads.

Ash reminds us of our mortality and is a sign of sorrow & repentance.
Oil is the symbol of Healing, Comfort, Blessing and Celebration.
And the Cross is the place of suffering but also redemption.

These symbols were very prominent for me as we navigated the robbery.

I thought about Ash as I processed the brokenness of society (crime and violence), as I heard a friend's painful story of disappointment and betrayal, and recognised my own impatience when trying to arrange replacement phones etc.

I thought about Oil (the symbol of God's tender Holy Spirit) as I received comfort, calm, wisdom and inspiration throughout the day. As I was able to push the bully of fear aside and recognise God's hand in a chance encounter with an old friend and the encouraging conversation we had.

Lent is about preparing to contemplate the wonder of the Cross.
Lent is about opening our hearts anew and afresh to God.

King David failed badly and sinned horribly.
As he drew near to God, he did so with sincere remorse, but also great hope.
He believed that Ash would be combined with Oil to bring healing.
While he feared that his sin was grounds to be cast out of God's presence, he believed that God could change his heart and transform his life.

As we look forward to Easter, we think of the One who was cast off and forsaken in our place so David and you and me could be made whole.

May this passage from Psalm 51 be our Lent prayer:

Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from Your presence or take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. (Psalms51:11-12)

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EmmDev 2026-02-17 [Lent 2026] Shrove Tuesday

Shrove Tuesday

I'm interrupting our series on Mark to do a few devotions on Shrove Tuesday, Ash Wednesday and Lent. 

The Background to Lent and Shrove Tuesday

"So, what is Lent?"
Lent is based on the 40 days that Jesus fasted in the wilderness at the beginning of His public ministry. (Sundays are not counted, so Lent is actually 46 days long)
During the second century it became customary to baptise all converts on Easter Sunday. During those ages of persecution and martyrdom, they had to be thoroughly prepared for the confession of their faith and for their challenging walk with the Lord.

These preparations lasted 40 days -- not counting Sundays. Fasting and Prayer played an important role alongside the lessons the converts would receive during this time. After a while, other Church members felt the need to repeat the course. This always coincided with the European Spring and so this Season of the Church became known as "Lent" which is Old English/Germanic for Spring. Lent reaches its climax on Good Friday and ends with the Celebration of Resurrection on Easter Sunday.

There are two important aspects to Lent:

• Penitence: We realise our own brokenness and our need for Christ.
• Preparation: We strive to open our hearts wider for the celebration of Easter.

Lent begins with Ash Wednesday (which I will talk about tomorrow) and is followed by the 40 days of "fasting" which I will talk about on Thursday and Friday.

Today we talk about Shrove Tuesday...
The term 'Shrove' is derived from the word 'shrive' or 'shriven', which refers to the process of 'confessing one's sins' before going into Lent. In many Christian traditions people would abstain from rich foods during this fast time. As Wednesday was the start of Lent, Shrove Tuesday became the day to use up rich ingredients like eggs, butter, sugar, and milk before the Lenten fast and pancakes serve this purpose very well!

The ingredients are seen symbolically: Eggs represent creation and a new beginning, salt represents cleansing and wholesomeness, milk stands for purity and flour for the substance of life.

Jesus reminded His disciples that they should not look mournful when they fasted and so the church found it fitting to start a fast with a feast!

When you have eaten and are satisfied, praise the LORD your God for the good land He has given you. Be careful that you do not forget the LORD your God, failing to observe His commands, His laws and His decrees that I am giving you this day. Otherwise, when you eat and are satisfied, when you build fine houses and settle down, and when your herds and flocks grow large and your silver and gold increase and all you have is multiplied, then your heart will become proud and you will forget the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. (Deuteronomy8:10-14)

Deuteronomy gives us a sober warning.
God's goodness brings us to great blessings. Our food, drink and satisfaction are gifts from Him. But our comfort can become complacency and we can credit ourselves

instead of our Heavenly Father as the source of all good things. 

So here are the key lessons of Shrove Tuesday:
- God provides abundantly
- We receive with thanksgiving
- We practise letting go, so that we may hunger for Christ

Or maybe, put another way:
- Pancakes remind us that God's world is full of good gifts
- Lent reminds us not to be ruled by those gifts
- Shrove Tuesday teaches us to enjoy with thanksgiving

So on Shrove Tuesday we celebrate that God is GOOD and we enter a season of trusting Him and drawing near to Him, and to let go with trust, because Jesus, who died and rose for us is the BREAD of LIFE...

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EmmDev 2026-02-13 [Moments with Mark] An Intimate look at Failure

An Intimate look at Failure

Going a little farther, He fell to the ground and prayed that if possible the hour might pass from Him. "Abba, Father," He said, "everything is possible for You. Take this cup from Me. Yet not what I will, but what You will." Then He returned to His disciples and found them sleeping. "Simon," he said to Peter, "are you asleep? Could you not keep watch for one hour? Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak." Once more He went away and prayed the same thing. When He came back, He again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. They did not know what to say to Him. Returning the third time, He said to them, "Are you still sleeping and resting? Enough! The hour has come. Look, the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise! Let us go! Here comes My betrayer!" Just as He was speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, appeared. With him was a crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests, the teachers of the law, and the elders. Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: "The one I kiss is the man; arrest Him and lead Him away under guard." Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, "Rabbi!" and kissed Him. The men seized Jesus and arrested Him. Then one of those standing near drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear. "Am I leading a rebellion," said Jesus, "that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture Me? Every day I was with you, teaching in the temple courts, and you did not arrest Me. But the Scriptures must be fulfilled." Then everyone deserted Him and fled. A young man, wearing nothing but a linen garment, was following Jesus. When they seized him, he fled naked, leaving his garment behind. (Mark14:35-51)

The details of this encounter are incredibly intimate:
- The levels of Jesus' distress
- The fact that Jesus switched to the Aramaic term "Abba" ("Daddy" or "Pappa") in His prayer.
- The failure of the disciples to stay awake is described very candidly
- Jesus disappointment at their sleepiness
- The "signal" Judas arranges...

There's a very interesting explanation we could offer for this...
The passage tells us about a young man in a linen garment (very much like pajamas) who sneaked out and followed Jesus and the disciples to Gethsemane and watched it all unfold.

Here are the bread-crumb clues:

• In Acts 12 there's a "Mary of Jerusalem" who owned an Upper Room where the disciples prayed when Peter was arrested.
• This was probably the same room where they had the Last Supper, met "behind locked doors" on Resurrection Sunday, and gathered on the day of Pentecost
• Mary had a son John-Mark who had an uncle named Barnabas
• Barnabas brought John Mark on a missions trip with Paul, but John Mark ran away, causing a rift between Paul and Barnabas.
• Eventually John Mark matured and reconciled with Paul and attended to Peter.
• Legend suggests that he recorded Peter's sermons and turned them into the gospel of Mark and he, with a little bit of irony and humility, anonymously acknowledges his "cameo" in Gethsemane.

If this supposition is true, then this account becomes a powerful exploration of failure.
The disciples fail. Judas fails. The chief priests, teachers and elders fail. John Mark fails.
In the midst of it is Jesus - saddened and daunted, but resolute.

A young boy snuck out at bedtime in search of adventure.
He got to witness multiple failures but in the midst of it, a Saviour who loved us in spite of our failures.

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EmmDev 2026-02-11 [Moments with Mark] Pivotal Moments

Pivotal Moments

Going a little farther, He fell to the ground and prayed that if possible the hour might pass from Him. "Abba, Father," He said, "everything is possible for You. Take this cup from Me. Yet not what I will, but what You will." (Mark14:35-36 )

There are a number of pivotal moments in the Gospel Story.
Here are some of them: 

1. When Adam and Eve sinned, God was ready with a plan: "And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; He will crush your head, and you will strike His heel." (Gen3:15) This passage is often called the "proto-evangelium" which means the first or primary gospel. God's plan, from the outset, was to send His Son.
   
   
2. Before Mary's conception there is a decision that is made in heaven - it is prophesied in the Psalms and recognised in the book of Hebrews. "Therefore, when Christ came into the world, He said: 'Sacrifice and offering You did not desire, but a body You prepared for Me; with burnt offerings and sin offerings you were not pleased.' Then I said, 'Here I am -- it is written about Me in the scroll -- I have come to do Your will, O God.'" (Heb10:5-7)
   
   
3. Then comes the moment of Jesus' baptism where the sinless Son of God, joins humanity in a baptism of repentance, symbolically "stepping into our dirty bathwater" so that He can carry our sins on the cross.
   
   
4. Then there is this moment - the moment where Jesus chooses to drink the cup of suffering and obey the will of the Father and reverse the disobedience of Adam and Eve. Mark keeps this moment short and sharp. Luke tells us that Jesus was in such anguish that His sweat was like drops of blood. (Some suggest that this refers to a condition called "hematidrosis" where under huge stress and pressure, a person's blood pressure rises to such an extent that the fine capillaries at the surface of the skin burst and their sweat carries that blood to their pores.)

These pivotal moments are powerful indicators of the deliberateness of Jesus (and the Father and the Spirit).
He was focused, determined and deliberate in His journey to the cross.
He came to save you and me.

Hallelujah!

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EmmDev 2026-02-10 [Moments with Mark] Overwhelmed

Overwhelmed

EmmDevs are back after a looong gap...!
My sincere apologies for the slow start. The year began with a bang and I have struggled to find my feet a bit (more about that later...) We were blessed to be able to get away for a five-day break last week and now I'm hoping to get back into the EmmDevs rhythm.

I also need to give you a heads up: The next couple of months are going to be sporadic as far as EmmDevs go... I am realising that I need to manage my energy, health and well-being after a very taxing 2025 and I have some long leave that is way overdue as well as normal leave, so there will be some "interruptions to the broadcast."

We'll be picking up and finishing our series on Mark, and I think it is quite appropriate to go into Lent (which starts next week(!!)) with some reflection on the Easter message. It's kind of like "beginning with the end in mind."

Lastly, me to wish you a belated blessed new year and pray that it will be a year of spiritual growth marked and guided by God's loving care.

They went to a place called Gethsemane, and Jesus said to His disciples, "Sit here while I pray." He took Peter, James and John along with Him, and He began to be deeply distressed and troubled. "My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death," He said to them. "Stay here and keep watch." (Mark14:32-34)

If I were the disciples, I would be quaking in my boots.
Imagine seeing Jesus "deeply distressed and troubled!" This would be a first-time and unsettling experience for them. After all, this is the same Jesus who slept in a storm that terrified experienced fishermen, who endured relentless testing from the religious authorities of the day, and who cast out demons that had tormented people and communities for years.

And now His soul is "overwhelmed"...
This leaves me with three important thoughts:

Firstly, it reminds us of the enormity of what He was about to do. We sometimes talk about the cross as though Jesus went to a tea-party, but actually it was daunting and enormous and terrifying - and He did it anyway!

In the second place, I find it extremely comforting to know that when I feel overwhelmed, Jesus knows how I feel. While my agenda will NEVER be as daunting as His was, when I face a plethora of responsibilities and a world full of brokenness and I am just not sure whether I can do it, it is nice to know that I am in good company.

Finally, Jesus found comfort in sharing His struggle with His disciples and asking for their support in solidarity and prayer. We should learn to do the same...

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