August 18
Mark 14:51-52
I would like to share these verses with you in the NLT version, because, well, it paints a better picture...."One young man following behind was clothed only in a long linen shirt. When the mob tried to grab him, he slipped out of his shirt and ran away naked." Ohh la la! The original streaker. So who was this nakey runner? No one really knows. It has been suggested that it could have been Mark himself, but we are not sure. Whoever he was, his story is not insignificant. Jesus had many more followers than just His 12 disciples. He had been teaching and healing for a long time now and had drawn in a lot of people. The NIV version says this young man was "following Jesus". But, as soon as the angry mob came and arrested Jesus what did this follower do? He ran away! We have been learning that when we follow Jesus, persecution is inevitable. We have to remain strong and be able to face this persecution without turning from Jesus. We need to trust God and not run away from difficult situations - naked or otherwise!
Principle: Following Jesus may result in persecution and humiliation.
Application:
1. What is causing me to run from others - fear? uncertainty?
2. How am I preparing myself or others to be strong when faced persecution?
3. In what areas am I watching Jesus but avoiding following Him because I don't want to be involved personally?
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Because we live in Joplin, it's more appropriate to say that the man was nekid. And this naturally makes me think of the garden of Eden where they were nekid but not ashamed. Then came sin and the first cover up. They tried to cover up their nekidness with fig leaves, but that would not do. God had to cover them with animal skin usually shown in pictures as deer skin, but I think it was probably lamb skin (an innocent lamb had to die so that Adam and Eve could be covered...sound familiar?) Now in another garden, not Eden but Gethsemene, there is more nekidness, and another Lamb, and this Lamb will soon die to cover the sins of the world. Lord, when I stand before you ashamed, I thank you that Jesus has me covered.
ReplyDeleteNow we know the answer to the question "what did they wear under those linen garments?" -- nothing! And we also know the answer to that other question "what are we left with when we turn from Jesus and try to run on our own?" -- nothing!
ReplyDeleteToday questions really hit home for me today. I was faced with a situation where my a part of my past, (that I praise and thank God for his forgiveness), that I am not proud of has caught up with me. I did not really address this situation today. But I know in the very near future that I must take a stand for Christ. Letting others know where I stand. When word gets around people will be talking about me making jokes saying "she found Jesus under the couch" and other comments. I know I remembering hearing them when I was stupid enough to believe satans lies and hung in those circles. It is time for me to stand and be persecuted for Jesus. I pray that I am ready and will continue to stay focused on Christ and His word.
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