From Mark 14:51-52 / Following Jesus – These 2 verses have spawned endless speculation, especially as regards the identity of this “young man.” There is a long tradition that it is Mark himself. But in truth, we have no idea. The text simply does not say. Nor need we know to glean something of use here. That the young man was clothed with nothing but a linen cloth almost certainly speaks to his being roused from his bed by the commotion surrounding Jesus’ arrest. Whether he knew Jesus before this or not we do not know. But for some reason, whether just curious as to the spectacle or whatever, He followed Jesus for a time, until the persecution spilled over to his person. And then he cared for nothing but to run so as not to suffer any harm. And so it is there are many who seem to follow Christ for a season. In their youth and with a sort of sleepiness of thought about them, they are curious as to what He is all about. Striking out after Him, though ill-prepared, as soon as the cost of following Him appears, they flee. And in their fleeing they are exposed for who and what they really are. No better, and no worse than Jesus’ own professed disciples. Both, in desperate need to be clothed with the righteousness of sinless Lamb of God. Nothing less will quit us to stand before the judgment bar of the Living God. “The one who conquers will be clothed thus in white garments, and I will never blot his name out of the book of life. I will confess his name before my Father and before his angels. He who has an ear, let him hear! what the Spirit says to the churches.” Re 3:4–6.