A young man, wearing nothing but a linen garment, was following Jesus. When they (temple guards or Roman soldiers) seized him, he fled naked, leaving his garment behind“ (Mark 14 51-52).
Sometimes Bible accounts, real historical records, can leave us unsettled.
Jesus was once confronted by a naked man among cemetery tombs: “He was met by a man from the city…possessed with demons; and who had not put on any clothing for a long time, and was not living in a house, but in the tombs.” (Luke 8:27).
There is nothing sensual about these events. The first occurred in the Garden of Gethsemane when Jesus was arrested. The latter took place in a cemetery. Neither historical context is amusing. Both graphically illustrate Jesus’ life.
Jesus spoke Messianic prophecy during the Last Supper, saying, “All of you will be ashamed of Me. This is written: ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.’” (Mark 14:27; Zechariah 13:7).
All the disciples (EXCEPT Judas Iscariot - so, all the remaining disciples), had declared their allegiance to Jesus: “Even if I must die with you, I will always be loyal to you!“ (Mark 14:31). Wouldn’t you say the same?
Paul wrote, “When the earthly ‘tent’ in which we live is destroyed, we know that we have another building which comes from God, a house in the heavenly worlds, not manmade. It lasts forever…we groan, longing to be clothed with our heavenly house” (2 Corinthians5: 1- 2).
You merely exist in a “tent,” like a temporary camping tent. You will one day have no more use for your earthly body. It will be “destroyed.”
Paul continues: “While we are in our bodies now…we feel burdened. That doesn’t mean we want to die; we only want a new life. Then eternal life will swallow up that which can die. God made us for this very purpose, and He has given us the Spirit as a guarantee that we will live again” (2 Corinthians 5:3-5).
“The person who obeys God’s commandments lives in God, and God lives in that person. How do we know that God lives in us? We know it because of the Spirit whom God gave us.” (1 John3:24).
Christians will have “a house in the heavenly worlds.” Will you one day live eternally in God’s house?
Jesus told His disciples that He was going to “prepare a place for (them)” (John 14:13). Their eternal home is reserved for them.
Do you have a reservation in heaven? You can, if you are “clothed with Christ” (Galatians 3:27). God’s promises can be yours! Would you walk around naked when you can be clothed with Christ?