1 QUOTE

"What is up with this naked guy?’

- Juwan Cummings

1 NOTE

Have you ever wondered about the young naked man in Mark’s Gospel? At a recent ‘Win Your 20s’ inductive study, our crew was really curious about the naked dude. When studying the Bible, the best questions are the ones we find in the text. Three big questions emerged in our study: (1) Why is he in only a linen cloth? (2) Why does he run away naked? (3) Who is the naked young man?

The naked guy was a teen boy who was likely sleeping when he someone woke him to tell him Jesus was seized by the guards. He jumped out of bed, wearing his first century pajamas, and motored to Jesus. The young man finds himself in good company as John the Baptist is introduced by his clothing (Mark 1:6). But at this stage of his discipleship he was not like John. John the Baptist followed Jesus all the way to death. The young man followed Jesus only to a point then tapped out.

For 30 pieces of silver Judas lead the guards to Jesus. The guard seized Jesus. The guards seized the young man. Jesus willfully submitted to suffering. The boy did submit to the cross but ran away naked. The linen cloth symbolizes burial and the boy running to save his life. Nakedness is always connected to shame in the Bible. The young man was ashamed that he could not follow Jesus all the way to the cross. Which begs the question how Mark could know the internal feelings of the young man?

It was common among the evangelists to record transactions in which they themselves took part without mentioning their own names. John is the Beloved Disciple. Luke modestly drops his own name in the first international pastoral staff team (the church at Antioch). The young naked man is John Mark himself. This is a confession of his discipleship weakness. The author dedicates a large unit to stress disciples must choose faith over fear (Mark 5:1-6:29). John the Baptist was beheaded by Herod. John Mark ran in fear. It is no accident that the last word of Mark’s gospel is afraid (16:8). Luke records that John Mark was the cause of Paul and Barnabas’ split because of his fear (Acts 13:13). Fear was the character flaw in John Mark’s life. The naked boy running for his life is his testimony.

We are all slow-growing disciples. We are not defined by one issue or challenge. Church tradition teaches that Mark became the Bishop of Alexandria. He served with Peter at Babylon. Certainly he was with Paul in Rome. The Good Doctor healed John Mark of fear.

1 QUESTION

Is there an area of your life where you are tempted to run? May you be encouraged by John Mark and run (with clothes) to the Great Physician! 

Until Next Tuesday,

John