He fled naked, leaving his garment behind.


Mark 14:50-52

50 Then everyone deserted him and fled. 51 A young man, wearing nothing but a linen garment, was following Jesus. When they seized him, 52 he fled naked, leaving his garment behind.



Today’s title is “Fleeing Naked”

Jesus loved His disciples. Although they constantly disappointed Him, His love for them never wavered or waned. In a way, the disciples were like His children. He called them. He cared for them and raised them spiritually. The disciples must have felt such love of the Lord too. They were all convinced that they love the Lord in the same way. They all wanted to share the same glory and suffering if it is necessary with the Lord. Their dedication to the Lord was not a faked one. When Peter said that he would never betray Him under any circumstances, he meant it. When Thomas said to other disciples, “Let us also go, that we may die with him. (John 11:16)”, It wasn’t vainglory at all. They were indeed a few dedicated groups of people who left everything to follow Jesus. Alas! But they didn’t know that they wouldn’t be able to keep their words of commitment when the real trials and tribulations hit them hard. Everyone, with no exception, deserted Him and fled. A young man, whom we presume to be none other than the virtual author of the gospel of Mark himself fled naked when soldiers seized him, leaving his garment behind. How pitiful! But isn’t that who we are and what we are like? We Christians make many public and private commitments to the Lord. We didn’t make such a commitment lightly. But how many times did we fail to make that commitment true? I personally did fail countless times. I know that the young man fleeing naked could be me if I were there. If only they seize me by a simple garment of faith that we are wearing, we could all be running naked like the young man. Mark might have recorded the pitiful action of himself here as a confession of his own betrayal against the Lord. But I believe that he could do so because he was convinced that the Lord Jesus already knew such frailties in him as well as other disciples and declared forgiveness even before they have committed such betrayal. “Then Jesus told them, “This very night you will all fall away on account of me, for it is written: “‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’ But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee (Matthew 26:31-32)”. I often wondered how the Lord would forgive our future sins. Here we have a good example of it. How strong is your love and faith in the Lord? Be strong and courageous in your faith. But never bet on your own faith but trust in the saving grace of the merciful Lord. He knows our past. He knows our future. We will fail. But when you fail, don’t just indulge in the bitter misery of the failure but remember that the Lord already declared that you are forgiven. What a comfort it is! What an assurance it is! Good Lord, indeed He is. Amen!