Since the fall of humanity into sin, nakedness has been something that we guard. Even for those who embrace a naturist lifestyle (nudist for those who don’t keep up with such things) don’t openly show all their parts openly all the time. They cross their legs when they sit in a chair. They bend at the knees when picking something up rather than bending at the waist. They close the door on the bathroom stall.
Few of us would want what some New York apartments are offering. There was a recent article in the news about multi-million dollar apartments with glass walls in the bathroom overlooking the city. They were on upper floors, but a good telescope could bring the nakedness into focus. But I know I wouldn’t want my nakedness displayed, even from the 50th floor. Few people would. I can bet that curtains go up over those windows right after they are purchased!
But sometimes nakedness is not our choice. Gym class pranks sometimes lead to nakedness. The towel gets snatched by a classmate as you walk by, leaving you scampering to find shelter. Or if you have been in the military, those entrance physicals used to be pretty embarrassing. There was a lot of standing around without much on during parts of it. I remember!
God’s design was for humanity to be naked without shame, but sin changed all that. After Adam and Eve ate, they realized that they had no clothes. They put on clothes.
Jesus is arrested. One young man, possibly Mark himself, has been following Jesus. He is not part of the official group of Jesus-followers, but a tagalong. Perhaps he was a bit young to be considered a serious disciple.
What I find amazing is that he is the one seized. Nothing is said about the official disciples even being close enough to be seized. It seems as though they slipped away right after the sword was swung. This young man seems to have stuck around a little longer. It seems that he continued to follow even after Jesus’ arrest. We don’t know exactly where he was or how far he had been traveling after the arrest when he was seized. It might have been only a few feet, or maybe quite a distance. But at some point one of the soldiers or guards grabs him.
At this point this young man squirms and gets away. Being young, the one seizing him probably didn’t take into account his smallness or agility. They grabbed his clothing and thought they had him. But he slipped out of the cloak and ran away. Naked!
I wonder if he grabbed a trashcan lid around the next corner to cover himself. The movies have given us a few smiles when they have portrayed these types of naked scampers. It can be funny to watch, but no so funny to actually do.
I want to meet this young man in heaven and shake his hand. He stuck it out a bit longer than the other disciples. I want to commend him for this.
The Arnold Journey 