THE FIRST STREAKER

I'm certain that the idea of running naked has been done quite a number of times throughout history. The earliest report of this activity is based on a legend from the 11th century: Lady Godiva, an Anglo-Saxon noblewoman, rode naked on horseback through the streets of Coventry to protest her husband's strict taxation policies. This incident also spawned the term "peeping Tom" — so named for a town resident who disobeyed Lady Godiva's order that nobody watch her nude voyage. Tom, according to lore, was struck blind or dead for his indiscretion.   [https://theweek.com/articles/490290/streaking-timeline]

From my research, the term 'streaker' originated in March of 1974 when  a Washington, D.C., reporter tried to give a live description of a mass nude run at the University of Maryland. "They are streaking past me right now," the reporter said. "It's an incredible sight!" The phrase was picked up by the Associated Press the following day, and the rest is history.

Less than a month later, the University of Georgia organized the largest streaking event ever, with 1,543 students participating.  There were so many copycat events that year that Ray Stevens came out with a parody music video - 'The Streak' - that leaped to #1 on the charts!  

But actually, there was an earlier case that's a part of the record: 

George William Crump became the first American college student arrested for streaking. Crump was suspended for the term from his Virginia school, Washington College (now Washington and Lee), but went on to serve in Congress and as ambassador to Chile. With Robert E. Lee's blessing, this activity later became a rite of passage for Washington and Lee men. [Gasp!]

But for those of you - who like me - are in the midst of the remembrance of our Lord's arrest, trials, crucifixion, and burial, we are surprised to find the story of the first streaker!  Are you shocked?  Are you about to accuse me of sacrilege?  

Hold on! Don't judge me too quickly!  Let's look at the evidence.  We find it in our Bibles at Mark 14:43-52,   [All scripture quotes are from the NCV]

At once, while Jesus was still speaking, Judas, one of the twelve apostles, came up. With him were many people carrying swords and clubs who had been sent from the leading priests, the teachers of the law, and the Jewish elders.

Judas had planned a signal for them, saying, “The man I kiss is Jesus. Arrest him and guard him while you lead him away.” So Judas went straight to Jesus and said, “Teacher!” and kissed him. Then the people grabbed Jesus and arrested him. One of his followers standing nearby pulled out his sword and struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his ear.

Then Jesus said, “You came to get me with swords and clubs as if I were a criminal. Every day I was with you teaching in the Temple, and you did not arrest me there. But all these things have happened to make the Scriptures come true.” Then all of Jesus’ followers left him and ran away.

A young man, wearing only a linen cloth, was following Jesus, and the people also grabbed him. But the cloth he was wearing came off, and he ran away naked.

It was late at night - probably around midnight! Jesus led His eleven apostles to the Garden out of a great need to pray for strength before the unspeakable things that were about to occur. Most of us are aware of the disappointment when His apostles couldn't seem to stay awake.  

But all of the scriptures led us to believe that Jesus and the eleven were the only ones there!  What's this?  A young man had also accompanied them?  Who was this?  Did the apostles know he was there?  Did it take the light of the soldier's torches to expose him when the chaos broke out and even the apostles began to flee?  In their running away, did it fleece this young man out of hiding?

But somebody grabbed him by a piece of his clothing!  However, being young and terrified, he left his clothing in their hands as he ran off into the dark!

Aha! The mystery of the first streaker has been solved!

However, we're not done yet!

Some may be aware that it was common in that day for writers to refer to themselves without using their name. The most common incident of this is in the gospel of John. In John 21:20, it says, 

Peter turned and saw that the follower Jesus loved was walking behind them. (This was the follower who had leaned against Jesus at the supper and had said, 'Lord, who will turn against you?') [John 21:20]

Four verse later it says: 

That follower is the one who is telling these things and who has now written them down. [John 21:24]

John never mentions his own name, but consistently refers to himself as the 'follower Jesus loved'.  

It is thought that the writer of Mark did the same.  It is commonly believed that the Apostle Peter took on the training of a younger man as the apostles began to age, realizing that Jesus might not return during their lives.  A consensus agrees that this protege of Peter's recorded the gospel of Mark under the guidance of the great Apostle Peter!  This young man's name was John Mark - also the one who accompanied Barnabas and Saul on their first missionary journey [Acts13:5].

So, John Mark - while writing under the guidance of Peter - conceals his own identity in this somewhat embarrassing moment - by simply referring to himself as "A young man..." [Mark 14:51].  The gospel he wrote is known to us today by his name - Mark!

And now you know THE REST OF THE STORY!