Revisiting Mark

[unsafe]

For reflection:

The sun will be darkened and the moon will not give its light; the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. (Mark 13: 24-25 NET)

my view
This piece of Scripture here if you research it --refers to the Day of the Lord ---so to understand this you need to know what the Day of the Lord means -----and you need to see the first part of this scripture ----this reflection verse comes after the suffering and distress of what Jesus has mentioned above to his disciples in Mark 13 -----using AMP here ---this is after the tribulation period as this is when Christ returns to separate the Sheep from the goats


The Return of Christ
24 “But in those days, after [the suffering and distress of] that tribulation, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, 25 and the stars will be falling from the sky, and the powers that are in the heavens will be shaken. 26 Then they will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory [in royal majesty and splendor]. 27 And then He will send out the angels, and will gather together His elect [those He has chosen for Himself] from the four winds, from the farthest end of the earth to the farthest end of heaven.


I say ---So we see this reflection verse comes after that ----Tribulation period -----

This describes what The Day of the Lord is ----and gives scripture about this in the Old and New Testament ----

https://www.compellingtruth.org/day-of-the-lord.html

The day of the Lord – What is it?


My view ----
So this next verse here tells us what the fig tree represents here in this verse -----the nearing return of Jesus ---

28 “Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: as soon as its branch becomes tender and it puts out its leaves, you recognize that summer is near. 29 Even so, you too, when you see these things happening, know [for certain] that He is near, right at the door.
30 I assure you and most solemnly say to you, this generation [the people living when these signs and events begin] will not pass away until all these things take place. 31 Heaven and earth [as now known] will [f]pass away, but My words will not pass away. 32 But of that [exact] day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son [in His humanity], but the Father alone.

 

[paradox3]

my view
This piece of Scripture here if you research it --refers to the Day of the Lord ---so to understand this you need to know what the Day of the Lord means -----and you need to see the first part of this scripture ----this reflection verse comes after the suffering and distress of what Jesus has mentioned above to his disciples in Mark 13 -----using AMP here ---this is after the tribulation period as this is when Christ returns to separate the Sheep from the goats

Agreeing with you completely that it is important to see any of these verses (chosen for reflection) in context. It helps me quite a bit to read the chapter and do a brief summary on a daily basis.

 

[paradox3]

Been thinking today we really don't focus a lot on the theology of end times in our denomination. I wouldn't say it is completely absent but I don't see it getting a lot of attention. I am not saying this is a good thing or not a good thing . . . just making an observation.

We focus more on the idea of "a new earth and a new heaven", I would say. Do we skip over how we expect to get there?

 

[Mendalla]

I think a lot depends on what you see the "end times" being.

Is it the end of the world, a society, a species? Was the K-T asteroid the dinosaurs' "end times"?

Or is it more of a spiritual turning point, a place where things change dramatically, opening the door for something new to appear? Some things may end, others may begin.

So the fall of Rome in 476CE was arguable the end times for that particular society, but out of it came the Middle Ages (after a brief Dark Age is some parts of Europe).

 

[paradox3]

I think a lot depends on what you see the "end times" being.

This is true, of course. But I really don't think Jesus was talking about a "spiritual turning point" because that could be anything. He was talking about widespread destruction throughout the earth. False prophets, earthquakes, famines, you name it.

 

[unsafe]

Mendalla ---you ask ===Is it the end of the world, a society, a species?

This scripture answers that ----if the world ends all end

30 I assure you and most solemnly say to you, this generation [the people living when these signs and events begin] will not pass away until all these things take place.

31 Heaven and earth [as now known] will [f]pass away,

My view
The whole purpose of God implementing the end times is to rid His planet of sin and evil and create a New Earth where there is no sin --no evil ---just peace and harmony and fellowship with God ------every person is given the chance to repent and receive the free gift of Salvation and as we have seen in Rev 14::6 an angel in the end times is sent out to make known the Gospel to all the people of this earth during the end times so there is not one who will not have heard God's word -- the tribulation if you do some research has 2 parts ---each is three and one half years ---Jesus uses the word birth pains here ------the second 3 and one half years is called the Great tribulation and is worse than the first ------verses 4-8 here ---we see False Prophets ---wars ---nations rising against nation ---earthquakes --famines ---and these are not like we are seeing now Mendalla in this time ---these are ten hundred times worse and at this end of the last of the Great tribulation ---- Jesus appears --to separate the sheep from the goats -----and that is what this scripture is about ------but there is much --much more to this -----Matthew gives a bit more about this than Mark does -----

the scripture here
4 “Tell us, when will these things happen, and what will be the sign when all these things are about to be fulfilled?” 5 Jesus began to say to them, “Be careful and see to it that no one misleads you. 6 Many will come in My name [misusing My name or claiming to be the Messiah], saying, ‘I am He!’ and will deceive and mislead many. 7 When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed (frightened, troubled); these things must take place, but the end is not yet. 8 For nation will rise up against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there will be earthquakes in various places; there will be famines. These things are the beginning of the [c]birth pangs [the intolerable anguish and suffering].


Jesus uses the word birth pangs ----this is the Greek word for this in this scripture

Strong's Concordance
ódin: a birth pang
Usage: the pain of childbirth, acute pain, severe agony, a snare.

ōdín) suggests intense suffering (similar to birth pain) – hence, "to suffer greatly, great pain" (L & N, 1, 24.87) like "a birth-pang, travail-pain; figuratively, extreme suffering"

equivalent to intolerable anguish, in reference to the dire calamities which the Jews supposed would precede the advent of the Messiah, , Matthew 24:8; Mark 13:8

 

[paradox3]

Mark 14

Mark 14 and Matthew 26 are very close parallels. The stories include:

• the plot against Jesus
• the anointing of Jesus with oil as the disciples protest about its expense
• the plan of Judas to betray Jesus
• the Passover meal
• the institution of the Lord's supper
• the prediction that Peter will deny Jesus three times
• the night in Gethsemane
• the betrayal and arrest of Jesus
• the appearance before the Sanhedrin
• Peter's denials

After Jesus has been arrested and the disciples have fled, there is a short text unique to Mark.

For reflection:

A young man was following him, wearing only a linen cloth. They tried to arrest him, but he ran off naked, leaving his linen cloth behind. (Mark 14: 51-52 NET)

 

[paradox3]

We sometimes know this character as "a certain young man".

Mark 14:51-52 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
51 A certain young man was following him, wearing nothing but a linen cloth. They caught hold of him, 52 but he left the linen cloth and ran off naked.

The NRSV gives me a little different image than the NET.

The authorities actually catch hold of him but he escapes their grasp, leaving the linen behind.

What do you make of these two verses? Do they foreshadow the linen that will be wrapped around Jesus' body when it is taken down from the cross? Do they symbolize standing naked before God, as in the Garden of Eden? Something else?

 

[Redbaron]

To me it's a symbol of all the disciples who fled from Jesus and his arresting officers in the garden, stripped of their bravado, strong words, and good intentions. They ran off, suddenly stripped, as it were, of their self image of brave loyalty to the end,

 

[Seeler]

I don't often remember a sermon in detail over a length of time; but I remember over 50 years ago at St. St. James United in Montréal hearing up sermon about the young man who ran away naked. The Minister invited us to picture a young teenage boy going to bed naked on a warm evening. He awakens suddenly to a ruckus on the street outside – a few Temple guards, accompanied by some Roman soldiers and followed by a small mob are passing by. The young man leaps out of bed, grabs a nearby sheet to wrap around himself and hurries out to follow along from a distance. The Garden of Gethsemane, he sees the soldiers about to arrest Jesus. He creeps closer trying to blend with the mob to see it all. Someone, perhaps a soldier, recognizing recognizes that he doesn't belong and tries to grab him. The young man twists away from him and runs away naked. Rather than pursue him, the soldiers laughed at his exposure, considering him not worth the effort.
This young man is not identified in Scripture; in fact we hear nothing more from him. Until – the Minister at St. James thought he might have been Mark. Mark became associated with the apostle Peter, and 40 years later was instrumental in gathering the stories he had witnessed or heard that became the Gospel of Mark.
I realize that this is theory has no basis in Scripture. It is just an attempt to understand what might have happened.
But I remember it each time I read about the young man who ran away naked. And I think of the many times that I have felt naked and exposed with all my imperfections, but accepted and loved by the holy one.

 

[Mendalla]

Given that Mark is the first Gospel with Matthew and Luke drawing from it, one wonders why they left naked man out. @Seeler's story provides one explanation: it was an "in-joke" of the kind some artists, writers and filmmakers indulge in (Hitchcock was notorious for self-cameos). It might also be that they saw it as too frivolous, and not really adding much in terms of meaning to the story. I mean, we can read some of what @paradox3 suggests about the linen paralleling the shroud in, but it seems an odd way to do it.

 

[paradox3]

The certain young man was following Jesus, which could be a very important detail. We read earlier in Mark's gospel about followers who were separate from the disciples.

The young man makes a narrow escape from very real danger. The disciples were potentially in danger, too. Maybe this story means that the disciples exercised good judgement in getting themselves out of the situation. What would they have been able to accomplish if they remained on the scene?

Could the lesson be that Jesus needs followers more than martyrs?

 

[Mendalla]

My frivolous thought: Mark was a college student who wanted Biblical justification for streaking.

Less frivolous:

The certain young man was following Jesus, which could be a very important detail. We read earlier in Mark's gospel about followers who were separate from the disciples.

The young man makes a narrow escape from very real danger. The disciples were potentially in danger, too. Maybe this story means that the disciples exercised good judgement in getting themselves out of the situation. What would they have been able to accomplish if they remained on the scene?

Could the lesson be that Jesus needs followers more than martyrs?

This seems like a reasonable answer. Gives the story a reason to be and some meaning. There's a certain segment of the faithful, esp. among Christians and Muslims, who seem to think martyrdom is a goal in itself, not a product of pursuing other goals. This could be arguing for use of wisdom vs. desire for martyrdom.

 

[paradox3]

Martyrdom might not even be part of the equation. The text might simply be saying Jesus needs his followers to remain alive in order to carry out his mission. Although when I think about it, the Great Commission shows up in Matthew, not Mark. But still . . .

 

[unsafe]

Verse today ----For reflection:

A young man was following him, wearing only a linen cloth. They tried to arrest him, but he ran off naked, leaving his linen cloth behind. (Mark 14: 51-52 NET)


My view ----in order again to understand anything that this scripture might have to offer ---we need to know what was going on at the time -----this is that part of the scripture where this reflection verse is ----

Mark 14:43-52 (NIV)
Jesus Arrested
43 Just as he was speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, appeared. With him was a crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests, the teachers of the law, and the elders.

44 Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The one I kiss is the man; arrest him and lead him away under guard.” 45 Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, “Rabbi!” and kissed him. 46 The men seized Jesus and arrested him. 47 Then one of those standing near drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear.

48 “Am I leading a rebellion,” said Jesus, “that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me? 49 Every day I was with you, teaching in the temple courts, and you did not arrest me. But the Scriptures must be fulfilled.” 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.

my view
So we can see fear was present as well as high tension and anger in the Disciples and the soldiers ----Peter cuts of an ear ----Jesus though seems poised and under control of His emotions -----verse 49 says ----------49 Every day I was with you, teaching in the temple courts, and you did not arrest me.

Then this young man appears on the seen --we don't know who he is or why he came there but what we do know is he was wearing a linen sheet --was seized but got away and ran off naked-----which says to me he deserted Jesus just like all the Disciples did ----in verse 50 ----50 Then everyone deserted him and fled.

And note when the disciples left and the young man fled ----after Jesus said ------But the Scriptures must be fulfilled


So we can only speculate about who and why this young man came to the scene ------the truth is we just don't know so for me the scripture has this young man on looker there to show that no mater who came on the scene no human could stop what Jesus came to Do Fulfill the scripture prophecy ----so all were dispersed as only Jesus could do what He was sent to do ------

So the question remains ---should we be looking to read more into than what we are given or are we content to take it as it is in the context of the text ---which comes at the very end of that section ------ Jesus stood alone in His endeavor to fulfil what He was sent to do -----

 

[paradox3]

Jesus stood alone in His endeavor to fulfil what He was sent to do -----

Another very plausible explanation to add to our list of possibilities.

 

[Mendalla]

Peter cuts of an ear

Actually, Mark doesn't say who does the cutting. Forget which Gospel(s) says it's Peter.

the truth is we just don't know so for me the scripture has this young man on looker there to show that no mater who came on the scene no human could stop what Jesus came to Do

Sensible interpretation. Simple and to the point.

 

[unsafe]

Mendalla -----you said ----- Actually, Mark doesn't say who does the cutting. Forget which Gospel(s) says it's Peter.

John 18:10 gives us Peter ----

 

[unsafe]

So this scripture is just before the scripture that has the reflection verse for today -----

Jesus Predicts Peter’s Denial
27 “You will all fall away,” Jesus told them, “for it is written:

“‘I will strike the shepherd,
and the sheep will be scattered.’[d]
28 But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.”

29 Peter declared, “Even if all fall away, I will not.”

30 “Truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “today—yes, tonight—before the rooster crows twice[e] you yourself will disown me three times.”

31 But Peter insisted emphatically, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” And all the others said the same.

my view ---
So this shows Jesus divinity as He is prediction what is to come from Peter --but also this shows how Peter reacted ---verses 29 and 31 -------
29 Peter declared, “Even if all fall away, I will not.”----
31 ----But Peter insisted emphatically, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you

I say
So we see here that twice Peter is so upset that Jesus would even think that Peter would do such a thing --he feels he has to answers Jesus 2 times denying such an allegation ----

My personal opinion here -----
I am sure this really bothered Peter to the point that when the Soldiers came for Jesus Peter went after the Soldier with a vengeance to prove to Jesus that he loved Him and to prove his loyalty to never abandon Him ------ but we know that he did abandon him in the end ---and this shows God's sovereignty in executing His Plan for why He sent His Son ------

 

[paradox3]

Mark 14 contains Jesus' prediction that Peter would deny him three times. And it gives us the details of the denials which take place.

After denying his association with Jesus, Peter remembered what Jesus had predicted and he broke down and wept.

Why did Peter weep? Was it remorse or something else?