An Inconceivable Disaster: Daily Thoughts from Mark (Mark 14:43-52)

It is hard to imagine the initial telling of the story of Jesus’ arrest and execution to early listeners, since we have heard the tale so often that it has become commonplace and excites little emotion. And, of course, we also know the conclusion of the resurrection and ascension, so we mourn little what at the time was a devastating event.

Jesus has been praying in the Garden of Gethsemane, on the slopes of the Mount of Olives, anticipating the excruciating hours to ensue. He has sought the company and prayers of his inner circle, Peter, James and John, who have failed to keeps their eyes open. Now, the beginning of pain and suffering that led to his death, through the betrayal of an insider.

And immediately, while he was still speaking, Judas came, one of the twelve, and with him a crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and the scribes and the elders. Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, “The one I will kiss is the man. Seize him and lead him away under guard.” And when he came, he went up to him at once and said, “Rabbi!” And he kissed him. And they laid hands on him and seized him. But one of those who stood by drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his ear. And Jesus said to them, “Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs to capture me? Day after day I was with you in the temple teaching, and you did not seize me. But let the Scriptures be fulfilled.” And they all left him and fled. 

And a young man followed him, with nothing but a linen cloth about his body. And they seized him, but he left the linen cloth and ran away naked. (Mark 14:43-52, ESV) 

The religious leaders of Israel are ready for resistance on the part of Jesus’ disciples and get a little bit, but Jesus does not resist.  He knows that Judas is at hand to betray him into their hands.  They need Judas to show them which in the crowd is Jesus because of the darkness.

How sad that Jesus was betrayed by one to whom he gave so much. Mark’s account does not reach to try to play on our sympathies, but only a little reflection tells us how disgraceful and painful the arrest was. Jesus was easily the superior of all the teachers and leaders of Israel, and the one they should have lauded as their Messiah. He had produced evidence after evidence, miracle after miracle, brilliance of thought and extraordinary integrity and singleness of purpose. He was the one, and they would not open their eyes to see it.

Jesus exposes their hypocrisy, noting that they could have easily arrested him during the day when he was publicly teaching.  He knows their fear of the public’s reaction.  In reference once again, however, to Zechariah 13, he yields to this as the fulfillment of God’s purpose for him and indeed, in accord with the prophecy, his disciples flee.

A strange and seemingly insignificant account is given of a young man who is nearly seized for following Jesus and his escort.  A guess as to why Mark includes this detail is that this was him.  We know that his mother was a follower of Jesus and it makes sense that he too was even at this point in his life.  He tries to be brave but when they turn on him he runs.  Apparently he had come out in somewhat of a hurry, not bothering to dress but merely throwing a sheet about himself.

The disciples are initially bold to seek to resist the arrest of their master. Perhaps we have given initial resistance to those who denigrate our Savior. But continual resistance is hard to do in the face of constant diminishing of Jesus by so many. Our greatest resistance is actually in the way we live in obedience to Jesus, and especially in obedience to his Great Commission for us (Matthew 28:19,20) and his Great Commandment (Mark 12:29-31).