Mark 14:51-52
“A young man, wearing nothing but a linen garment, was following Jesus. When they seized him, he fled naked, leaving his garment behind.“ Mark 14:51-52 NIV
While verse 50 is one of the most heart wrenching passages of the Bible, these two verses are some of the most intriguing.
Some have suggested that this reference is to John Mark, who wrote this gospel, these verses don't occur elsewhere and that this is his signature placed with his gospel to validate it.
If this is so, it is yet another reminder that even those who secretly tried to follow Jesus during His Passion were run off by the violent mob that attacked the Lord.
Leaving Jesus completely alone, without a friendly face when surrounded by a crowd thirsty for blood.
No matter who this young man may have been, he is a reminder of a host of those who followed the Lord about whom we know little or nothing.
Yet their presence and support of the Lord at other times were crucial to the spread of God's Kingdom and the triumph of the Good News.
This is the same term used when Jesus called the disciples to follow Him. These are a couple clues that this young man may have been one of the disciples.
These verses a great contradiction to the start of this man’s journey with Jesus. The disciples were once willing to leave their whole world behind in order to go follow Him.
Now here we are with this disciple not even keeping so much as the linen cloth he was wearing to get away from Jesus. He totally abandoned Him, even leaving behind the clothing that he was wearing.
Here’s where I think things get more interesting for this story. The Greek word for linen cloth that is mentioned in this story is only found in one other place in the Bible.
It’s also in the gospel of Mark when it tells us about what Jesus was wrapped in when He was in the tomb. He died on the cross for our sins and was wrapped in linen cloth.
Directly after Christ’s burial in the linen cloth, we are taken to the scene of Christ’s empty tomb. Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of Jesus, and Salome had all gone to the tomb in order to continue with their grieving rituals.
However, when they got there they saw that the tomb was empty and there was a young man sitting in the tomb in a white robe who told them that Jesus had risen.
The only other reference to a white robe in the gospel of Mark is during the transfiguration. When Jesus appeared glorious to the disciples in clothing of dazzling white color.
So what is the significance here? Mark wrote a fast paced, hard hitting gospel with only important details included. It is unlike Mark to include a story like this that seems insignificant. Well the truth is that it is very significant.
You and I are the young man who abandoned Jesus. Ok not literally. But the lesson here is that you and I abandoned God. Full of guilt and shame we chose sin and ran away from Him.
And Jesus took that very same linen cloth of shame that we wore, and wrapped Himself in it. He died and took your shame upon Himself, and replaced your shame with a dazzling white soul. Free from guilt and free from shame. He washed away our sins and made us white as snow.
Oh, my brother and sister in Christ, may we not shrink back from following after the Lord Jesus wherever He leads!!!
Father thank you for this day and give those who followed Jesus who we will never know until heaven. Lord let Your abundant blessings fall upon my friend and family today. Lord we know You used so many more people to support Your ministry and carry on Your mission than we know, help us be willing to serve You whether we are known or not known by future generations as one of Your loyal followers. Lord use my friend to be the blessing someone needs today. Daddy we love You amen. Be a blessing. Love ya !
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