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Are you the inquisitive type? Do you like to
be the first person to tell a great news story?
Well, if you have answered yes to both questions
you are probably no different from any other human being.
We all like to be the first to hear breaking news and indeed
be the first tell a new and exciting story.
In the Bible there are many events recorded
for us and we should be particularly grateful to John Mark,
who was courageous enough to follow Jesus and his Disciples
on a journey to the Garden of Gethsemane and recorded for
us the events leading up to Jesus' arrest.
John Mark's father was a Jew, probably from
Jerusalem, and his mother was a Greek Cypriot. They had been
brought up in an affluent lifestyle with a strong religious
background. His mother had become a follower of Jesus and
allowed her home in Jerusalem to be used as a base for Jesus
and his disciples and it is likely that the 'Last Supper'
was held at the home of John Mark.
Although John Mark was used to the comings and
goings of many people at his home in Jerusalem; it seemed
that something exciting was happening. He had heard the story
of the raising of Lazarus from the dead in Bethany. He probably
had gone out to see what was going on when Jesus entered Jerusalem
sitting on a donkey. He had heard the 'hosannas' of the crowds.
The air was full of excitement; they were even hailing Jesus
as the Messiah! Later on, John Mark probably questioned Peter
about what happened at the meal the disciples had in the upper
room. He wrote in his gospel much of what Peter had told him
Mark 14:12-25.
John Mark, the inquisitive teenager, heard some
disturbance in the upper room and realised that Jesus and
His disciples were leaving. Where were they going? What was
going on? He decided to follow them. It was dark but he realised
they were going to a place called 'the Garden of Gethsemane',
so he followed as close as he dared. He would have heard the
conversation between Jesus and His disciples. He would have
seen how Jesus went on alone to pray. He even recorded the
words He spoke! Mark 14: 3536!
"Going a little farther, he fell to the
ground and prayed that if possible the hour might pass from
him."Abba, Father," he said, "everything is
possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will,
but what you will."
How fortunate we are that, whilst the disciples
were asleep, there was someone awake to record those words!
How fortunate we are that John Mark recorded these words in
his gospel. He was close by when Judas led the soldiers to
arrest Jesus. He saw the kiss of betrayal, recorded for us
by the nosey teenager, Mark 14 vs. 44-47.
Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with
them: "The one I kiss is the man; arrest him and lead
him away under guard." Going at once to Jesus, Judas
said, "Rabbi!" and kissed him. The men seized Jesus
and arrested him. Then one of those standing near drew his
sword and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off
his ear.
John Mark himself was nearly arrested, but escaped
(Mark 14:51-52).
A young man, wearing nothing but a linen garment,
was following Jesus. When they seized him, he fled naked,
leaving his garment behind.
John Mark knew Jesus as a kind and loving man,
a man who preached kindness and encouraged others. to help
each other. Why would the authorities want to kill Him? He
probably didn't understand that Jesus, accepting the cheers
of the people and the cries of 'Messiah', was hitting at the
very foundation of the official Jewish faith. He probably
didn't understand that God had sent His only Son into the
world. He probably thought how unfair it all was! It was only
later when talking with Peter and the other disciples that
the events, which had happened so fast, began to make some
sense. That crucifixion was the most difficult to understand
and accept.
This enquiring and inquisitive teenager became
a real worker in the early church, travel1ing with Barabbas
and Saul as their helper.
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