Discussion on the Book of Mark
~ Pastor Thuamminlian
In Mark 14:50-52, it is seen that while all the disciples forsook Jesus on his arrest and fled, a certain man, having a linen cloth cast about his body, continued to followed Jesus. But when the people tried to get hold of the man, he left the linen cloth and fled naked. Though much is not known, it is curious to find out what this particular episode has to signify. As for the identity of the man, it is believed that he was one of Jesus’ disciples and definitely not Mark, the author of the Gospel book.
In Mark 10:28, Peter spoke of how he and the other disciples had left everything to follow Christ. Even with that level of commitment, however, all ran from Jesus just as soon as Jesus’ ordeal began. Like the disciples, we too fall at every step along the way in following Christ. But, like the disciples themselves, we can always bring ourselves up and carry on with renewed strength and commitment.
In the Book of Mark, ‘linen cloth’ is found mentioned twice; each in Mark 14:50-52 and Mark 15:46. In the first instance, linen cloth is related to despair and shame, whereas in the latter, linen cloth was used to wrap the body of Jesus. A ‘young man’ is mentioned in Mark 14:50-52 and Mark 16:5, taking it for granted that the young man in the tomb is an angel, and the word ‘white’ is noted in Mark 9:3 and Mark 16:5. Although seemingly not relatable, these details put together signify two important things – the young man’s cloth of shame became Jesus’ cloth of shame, and Jesus’ cloth of glory became the young man’s cloth of glory!
In Mark 16:7, the angel specifically mentioned Peter’s name. This was because Peter was the leading man among the disciples and it was him who fiercely declared that he would never forsake nor deny Jesus [Mark 14:29-31]. It was him, too, who denied knowing and following Jesus three times on the night of Jesus’ arrest. Still, the Lord knew exactly what would happen to his disciples. The disciples, lost and distressed at the death of their leader, needed direction and strength from the Lord. Jesus went ahead of them to Galilee, the place where he started his ministry, waiting for the disciples to start rebuilding the ministry and fellowship of Christ. We, therefore, know that in our hour of spiritual need, we have to set out for the Lord, because He is already ahead of us and waiting to help us, strengthen us and renew our spiritual life!
