Thoughts of Grace

Why did Jesus fold the linen burial cloth after His resurrection?
I never noticed this….
The Gospel of John (20:7) tells us that the napkin,
which was placed over the face of Jesus,
was not just thrown aside like the grave clothes. .
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.
Early Sunday morning,
while it was still dark,
Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and found
that the stone had been rolled away from the entrance.
She ran and found Simon Peter and the other disciple,
the one whom Jesus loved.
She said, ‘They have taken the Lord’s body out of the tomb,
and I don’t know where they have put him!’
Peter and the other disciple ran to the tomb to see.
The other disciple out ran 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.
Was 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.
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,
and the servant would not dare touch that table,
until the master was finished..
Now if the master were 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.
The servant would then know to clear the table.
For in those days,
the wadded napkin meant, “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,
because……….
The folded napkin meant,
“I’m coming back!”
(borrowed)

John 14:22-31
Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot,
Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world?
23  Jesus answered and said unto him,
If a man love me, he will keep my words:
and my Father will love him,
and we will come unto him,
and make our abode with him.
24  He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings:
and the word which ye hear is not mine,
but the Father’s which sent me.
25  These things have I spoken unto you,
being yet present with you.
26  But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost,
whom the Father will send in my name,
he shall teach you all things,
and bring all things to your remembrance,
whatsoever I have said unto you.
27  Peace I leave with you,
my peace I give unto you:
not as the world giveth, give I unto you.
Let not your heart be troubled,
neither let it be afraid.
28  Ye have heard how I said unto you,
I go away, and come again unto you.
If ye loved me, ye would rejoice,
because I said, I go unto the Father:
for my Father is greater than I.
29  And now I have told you before it come to pass,
that, when it is come to pass, ye might believe.
30  Hereafter I will not talk much with you:
for the prince of this world cometh,
and hath nothing in me.
31  But that the world may know that I love the Father;
and as the Father gave me commandment,
even so I do.
Arise, let us go hence.

Today . . .Let us receive He’s peace
Today . . .Let it soothe, gently calm our troubled hearts
Today . . Let His perfect Love cast out our fears.