EmmDev 2026-04-30 [Moments with Mark] Abrupt Ending

Abrupt Ending

When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus' body. Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb and they asked each other, "Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?" But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away. As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed. "Don't be alarmed," he said. "You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid Him. But go, tell His disciples and Peter, 'He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see Him, just as he told you.' " Trembling and bewildered, the women went out and fled from the tomb. They said nothing to anyone, because they were afraid. (Mark16:1-8)

While there is another section that follows, scholars are pretty convinced that this is where the original gospel of Mark ended. Next week we'll look at the "longer ending" and understand the role that it plays.

For now, let's consider this piece as the "shorter ending."

Let's bear in mind that for Mark and the early church, the Resurrection was never in doubt. Christians were being persecuted and martyred and they faced their death with hope and praise because they were utterly convinced of the resurrection. The Holy Spirit had been poured out on them, the church was growing like wildfire, and they were not afraid of dying for their faith. In writing his gospel, Mark wasn't defending the resurrection, he was making sure that the stories about Jesus that we think he was hearing through Peter's sermons, would not be lost to future generations. (Think about how abruptly Mark began his gospel. No birth and infancy narratives - just straight into the account of Jesus' ministry.)

So this "abrupt ending" is not so abrupt when we consider Mark's style and purpose. Throughout the gospel Mark has been short and economical, writing like a newspaper reporter: short, sharp and punchy.

When it comes to the resurrection he's doing the same.
He describes:
- the first eye-witnesses.
- their journey to the tomb and what they experienced.
- what they saw: The stone rolled away and the angel sitting inside
- what they heard: Jesus is not here. He is Risen. Tell the disciples and Peter "Go to Galilee"

Then he describes the women leaving, trembling and bewildered, not talking to others at this point.
And that's the original ending.

It's a puzzling note to end on.
From the other gospels we know that Jesus Himself appeared to Mary Magdalene and that the women eventually told the disciples. We know that Peter and John ran to the tomb and that John believed. From John we know that Peter left bewildered and wondering what happened. From Luke we know that Jesus appeared to Peter all by himself.

Maybe this is the clue that Mark is leaving us. He emphasises that the angel told the women, "...tell the disciples and Peter..." Maybe Mark wanted his readers to understand that the women struggled and that Peter struggled, but everybody knew that the tomb remained empty, the Holy Spirit came, and the Early Church found courage.

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EmmDev 2026-04-29 [Moments with Mark] Joseph (Part 2) - Respect

Joseph (Part 2) - Respect

So Joseph bought some linen cloth, took down the body, wrapped it in the linen, and placed it in a tomb cut out of rock. Then he rolled a stone against the entrance of the tomb. Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses saw where he was laid. (Mark15:46-47)

Yesterday we looked at Joseph's faith and courage.
Today I'd like to consider another driving force in his actions, namely respect.

Let's recap. Joseph
- takes a risk going to Pilate.
- probably jeopardises his standing with the Council
- makes a sacrifice in offering up his expensive and elite tomb

Along with his faith and courage, Joseph is "doing right" by Jesus.
I think this shows respect.
There are moments of respect throughout the burial and resurrection.
- Nicodemus brings spices for the burial. He was also a member of the council.
- The women return after the Sabbath to complete the work of anointing Jesus
- Jesus folds His grave cloths when He rises from the dead.
- And Joseph does what he can to give Jesus a dignified burial

Respect is important.
It speaks of the intrinsic value of people, and in this narrative, it reminds us that Jesus was respected even by some of those who would have been considered His enemies.

When we love God, we also love people.
But we also respect God and respect people.
Joseph shows it towards Jesus, as do Nicodemus and the women.
Jesus shows it towards Joseph and whoever will tidy the tomb.

In a world filled with disrespect - where people are celebrated for "dissing" (disrespecting) others, this is an important insight.

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EmmDev 2026-04-28 [Moments with Mark] Joseph (Part 1)

My apologies for the long delay in devotions. The Easter season overwhelmed me a little and then we were away on leave...

Joseph (Part 1)

It was Preparation Day (that is, the day before the Sabbath). So as evening approached, Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent member of the Council, who was himself waiting for the kingdom of God, went boldly to Pilate and asked for Jesus' body. Pilate was surprised to hear that He was already dead. Summoning the centurion, he asked him if Jesus had already died. When he learned from the centurion that it was so, he gave the body to Joseph. (Mark15:42-45)

I have a little theory. I can't prove it, but in eternity we'll know if I'm right.
I think that Joseph of Arimathea was the "Rich Young Ruler" who walked away when Jesus told him to give up all he had... If I'm right, this makes the events of this passage very significant.

The name "Joseph" means, "God will add."
This is very fitting for this moment because, although this account is about a burial, God will add resurrection to the story.

Let's pick up the details:

• It was Preparation Day: They had until sunset and then the Sabbath begins. So it was urgent to get this work done, thus avoiding defilement on the Sabbath.
• Joseph is from Arimathea which was also called Ramah. There were a number of places called Ramah in the OT, because the name can mean "high, exalted, lifted up, lookout, height." There is also a possible link to the Ramah mentioned by Jeremiah and quoted by Matthew when Herod orders that the baby boys around Bethlehem be killed - "A voice is heard in Ramah, weeping and great mourning..."
• Joseph was a prominent member of the Council which was the highest Jewish governing body consisting of chief priests, elders and the teachers of the law. They made religious decisions, legal judgments and, ironically, were the ones who decided on the arrest and trial that led to Jesus' crucifixion.
• Joseph was "waiting for the Kingdom of God." This means that he was spiritually aware. Another member of the council, Nicodemus, had been to meet Jesus (see John 3) and according to the other gospels, he accompanies Joseph to the burial. So it seems that there were some religious leaders who had open hearts and were contemplating Jesus' significance.
• He boldly went to Pilate. Mark is highlighting the irony here. The council condemned Jesus to death and now Joseph is giving Him a dignified funeral. This would have placed Joseph under a spotlight of suspicion and criticism. This would have had to be a carefully considered decision, especially as it involved a family tomb, and Joseph makes it boldly.
• Pilate is surprised that Jesus is already dead. This was because crucifixion was a slow and cruel way of putting people to death. Mark is making an important point here. Jesus' life wasn't taken by Roman torture, His life was given for us.
• Pilate gives the body to Joseph. Normally crucified criminals' bodies were discarded like refuse. Rome preferred it that way, it proved their supremacy. To have an executed man's body buried among the wealthy and elite would have mixed the message that Roman Crucifixion was meant to convey. Maybe it was the impact Jesus had on Pilate earlier that day that led him to agree to this request.

Tomorrow we'll look at the rest of the details, but for now, our takeaways are:

• Joseph is a leader who, in spite of the other toxic leaders in the Council, was impacted by Jesus.
• Pilate was also impacted by Jesus and releases His body for dignified burial instead of humiliation.
• In Joseph's name ("God will add") and in the name of his home town ("Ramah" - the place of weeping) we find hints of the sadness Jesus came to heal and the hope of resurrection.

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EmmDev 2026-04-07 [Moments with Mark] The Faithful Women

The Faithful Women

Some women were watching from a distance. Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joses, and Salome. In Galilee these women had followed Him and cared for His needs. Many other women who had come up with Him to Jerusalem were also there. (Mark15:40-41)

From the other gospels we know that there was only one male disciple at the cross and that was John. We think it is because he was young, possibly just a teen. This is why he could call himself "the one that Jesus loved." Being the young one it is likely that all the disciples and Jesus had a soft spot for him. This, probably, is also why Jesus assigns him and Mary to look after each other. To be fair, John is there only by advantage of his youth. The other disciples were older and potentially have been considered as "enemies of the state." It would have been dangerous for them to be at the cross.

In gentle contrast, Mark tells us of a number of women who were there, supporting Jesus. There are some variants in the names of the women as given by the four gospel writers, but we won't be considering the individuals for now.

What is interesting is that Mark portrays women positively in his gospel:
- The woman with the bleeding disorder had courageous faith.
- The Syrophoenician woman understood grace.
- The widow with her two coins gave sacrificially.
- The woman who anointed Jesus recognised His impending death when others didn't.

Here, the women stay at the cross, continuing their faithful devotion to Jesus. Mark tells us that they came to Jerusalem with Jesus and that in Galilee they had followed Jesus and cared for His needs. Luke tells us that some of them "... were helping to support them (Jesus and the twelve) out of their own means."

In a society where women did not enjoy rights and standing of men, it is significant that Mark (who was known for brevity and focus on key aspects) devotes some time to describing their presence. Especially just after the dramatic events of Jesus' death.

These women are examples of "a long obedience in the same direction."
They have been faithful, and, despite being undervalued by society, they are just faithfully there.
Let's take a moment to give thanks for the faithful women who are role-models to us as they faithfully and practically practice a long obedience in a God direction.

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EmmDev 2026-04-02 [Moments with Mark] Triumph: Demonstrated and Recognised

Triumph: Demonstrated and Recognised

The curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. And when the centurion, who stood there in front of Jesus, heard His cry and saw how He died, he said, "Surely this Man was the Son of God!" (Mark15:38-39)

Yesterday I suggested that Jesus' "loud cry" was one of triumph.

Our reading today supports this...
At His death, the temple curtain, which separated the Holy of Holies from the rest of the temple, tore from top to bottom. We should never underestimate the visceral impact this event would have had. Normally the Holy of Holies was "off limits" - The High Priest entered only once a year, on the Day of Atonement. Jesus' sacrifice changed all of that. The torn curtain was a powerful symbol of the success of the atonement offering Jesus made.
The letter to the Hebrews explains that Jesus, our High Priest, sacrificed for our sins, once and for all.

Now the Roman Centurion didn't see the curtain tear. He saw the darkness. He may have felt the earthquake mentioned in Matthew. He heard Jesus' cry. He saw how Jesus carried His agony and how He died. He didn't hear a helpless victim. He didn't see a tragic ending. He wasn't left hopeless. He was moved to make a significant statement. "This Man was the Son of God."

This statement is one of the most powerful creeds or declarations of faith in the New Testament.
There's deep theology in this one line.
- He was a Man (God made flesh)
- He was the Son of God (Not just a good man - He was God)

Think about it...
This seasoned Roman soldier had simply been doing his duty.
He'd executed a man considered an enemy of the empire.
And yet, as he contemplated this grisly death which should have simply been a demonstration of Rome's crushing power over anyone who would dare to oppose, he came to a completely unexpected conclusion:

This was the Son of God.

Today we think about Jesus walking the dusty byways of history. We can reduce Him to a relic of our Sunday School stories - an artifact of a quaint religious upbringing. But what happened to the Centurion should grab our attention. At Jesus' death, he should have smirked and said something like "See? You don't mess with the power of Rome."
But instead, he is shaken to the core.
Even in death, Jesus conveys majesty.
His sacrifice means something significant.

And we should take note!

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EmmDev 2026-04-01 [Moments with Mark] Victim or Priest?

Apologies: this is yesterday's devotion sent out late. Today's one will come a little later.

Victim or Priest?

With a loud cry, Jesus breathed His last. (Mark15:37 )

As we have seen, Mark keeps things short and simple.
From the other gospels we know that this "loud cry" included
"It is Finished" ("Tetelestai" - "Paid in Full")
and "Father into Your hands I commit my Spirit".

Mark captures the sense of this with his simple account.
The loud cry is one of triumph and victory.
Breathing His last indicates that Jesus was in control.
His life wasn't taken from Him by us - He gave His life for us.

This is a vital distinction.
Jesus is not a helpless victim, He is our Great High Priest who offers Himself.
Tomorrow we will see that the manner of His death is so striking that it moves a senior Roman Officer to utter one of the New Testament's greatest statements of faith.

Take a moment to reflect on a Saviour who
- experienced the excruciating (pun intended) agony of the cross,
- refused narcotics,
- fulfilled scripture,
- offered mercy to a hardened criminal,
- took care of His earthly mother and youngest disciple,
- and traversed God-forsakenness that reduced Him to His "mother tongue."
Then even in His final moments even death is His choice and not ours.
He is not a victim losing His life, but a Priest offering it.

As Charles Wesley's hymn asks:
"Amazing Love, how can it be, that Thou, O God, shouldst die for me?!"

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