This past week I came across an article that helped me see the Easter story in a little different way and it had to do with the linen burial clothes that were found left inside the tomb after Jesus’ resurrection. I had never noticed this before but in the gospel of John chapter 20:6-7 it says,
“Then Simon Peter, who was behind him, arrived and went into the tomb. He saw the strips of linen lying there, 7 as well as the burial cloth that had been around Jesus’ head. The cloth was folded up by itself, separate from the linen.”
In verse seven we are told this about the piece that had covered Jesus’ face. It says that, “the cloth was folded up by itself, separate from the linen.” The Bible takes an entire verse to tell us that the napkin was neatly folded, and was placed at the head of that stony coffin.
For those a little unfamiliar with the story of Easter morning, we are told that while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and found that the stone had been rolled away from the entrance. Quickly she ran and found Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved. She told them in John 20:2,
“They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put him!”
Then we are told that Peter and the other disciple ran to the tomb to see for themselves. The other disciple outran Peter and got there first. He stopped and looked in and saw the linen cloth lying there, but he didn’t go in. Then Simon Peter arrived and went inside. He also noticed the linen wrappings lying there, while the cloth that had covered Jesus’ head was folded up and lying to the side. Is that important? Absolutely! Is it really significant? Yes!
In order to understand the significance of the folded napkin, you have to understand a little bit about Hebrew tradition of that day and this is what I learned. The folded napkin had to do with the Master and Servant, and every Jewish boy knew this tradition.
When the servant set the dinner table for the master, he made sure that it was exactly the way the master wanted it. The table was furnished perfectly, and then the servant would wait, just out of sight, until the master had finished eating. The servant would not dare touch that table, until the master was finished. Now if the master was done eating, he would rise from the table, wipe his fingers, his mouth, and clean his beard, and would wad up that napkin and toss it onto the table. When the master did that, the servant would then know to clear the table. For in those days, the wadded napkin meant, ‘I’m done’ or ‘I’m finished’. But if the master got up from the table, and folded his napkin, and laid it beside his plate, the servant would not dare touch the table. The reason why ............. because the folded napkin meant, ‘I’m coming back!’
Every Easter we celebrate the glorious truth that Jesus Christ died on the cross to take the punishment our sin deserved. We are reminded every Easter that Jesus also rose from the grave - the tomb is empty - all so that we could have the forgiveness of sins and through faith in Christ, have life everlasting. But the folded napkin, the folded piece of cloth that covered Jesus’ face reminds us also of the truth that Jesus is coming back one day. Will He find faith on the earth? Will He find devote followers of His on earth? Are you one of them? I hope so.