Traditionally, Christians met for worship every day during Holy Week. During that week, the Passion narratives from all four gospels would be read: Matthew on Monday, Mark on Tuesday, Luke on Wednesday, and John on Good Friday. Of course, Thursday focussed on Jesus’ last supper with his disciples and the washing of the disciples’ feet (also from the Gospel of John). Since most Christians these days don’t meet for worship every day, we now hear the Passion narrative from two gospels each year – this year, from Mark and from John. It allows us to hear the unique perspective that each gospel writer brings to the same events.

Today, I invite you to reflect with me for a moment on two of the people who are unique to Mark’s gospel: the young man who runs away naked (Mk. 14:51-52), and the Roman centurion who seems to be the only believer at the time of Jesus’ death (Mk. 15:39).

As for the young man, he is never named and apparently was in such a rush to see what was going to happen to Jesus that he put on only a linen cloth as clothing. In the garden of Gethsemane, when Jesus is arrested, all of the disciples run away. This young man is there, too, and was following Jesus and watching. The crowd seems to know this and tries to arrest him along with Jesus. As fear takes over, the young man is so desperate to get away that he would rather run away naked than allow them to arrest him.

Many have speculated over the years that perhaps the young man was Mark himself. Otherwise, why would he include this detail? It is easy to imagine Mark being ashamed later of his lack of courage. At the same time, this young man gives us an accurate picture of the fear that gripped people at the time of Jesus’ arrest and crucifixion. The fickle crowd could be swayed in only a few days, and a man could be crucified with no grounds at all. Wouldn’t you run away naked, too?

As for the Roman centurion, in the gospel of Mark, he stands alone. He stands there, and he watches Jesus die, and he concludes, “This man was really the Son of God!” He seems to be the only believer at the time of Jesus’ death.

We do not know what prompted his statement of faith. Perhaps he saw how the earth itself seemed to mourn, as darkness covered the land from noon until three. Perhaps he saw how Jesus quietly took all of the insults that were hurled at him. Perhaps he saw how the darkness lasted until the moment when Jesus died and heard how Jesus’ last words were addressed to God. However it happened, this man witnessed the crucifixion and death of Jesus and became convinced that Jesus really was the Son of God.

Over the years, many have used a method of prayer and meditation that is sometimes called Ignatian. It involves imagining yourself right there in the gospel narrative, either as one of the biblical characters or as a bystander. Those who use this technique often find that they learn more about Jesus and more about themselves as they pray and reflect in this way. In the coming week, I invite you to enter into the gospel narratives in order to encounter the biblical Jesus.

You might find yourself so scared that you also run away. You might find yourself standing there with the Roman centurion and believing. You might find yourself looking on from a distance, like the women in Mark’s gospel. However you enter into it, may you see Jesus as you do – the one who serves and loves until the end; the one who prays and forgives, even on the cross; the one who sweats bullets in the garden, yet still entrusts himself to God’s will; the one who offered himself so that we might have life. Thanks be to God. Amen.

Sunday of the Passion / Palm Sunday (B) Mark 14:1 - 15:47
April 5, 2009
St. Luke’s Zion Lutheran Church
Pastor Lynne Hutchison

© 2009 Lynne Hutchison All Rights Reserved