Then Simon Peter came along behind them and went straight into the tomb. He saw the strips of linen lying there, as well as the cloth that had been wrapped around Jesus’ head. The cloth was still lying in its place, separate from the linens.  John 20: 6-7

This Gospel of John tells us the napkin which was used to cover the face of Jesus when He was placed in the tomb after His death, was not just thrown aside like the grave clothes, but was neatly folded and placed away from the linens used to cover Jesus’ body. When Peter and the other disciples got to the tomb, Peter noticed the folded cloth lying there, but he did not go in to the tomb. Simon Peter arrived a little later and entered the tomb. He saw the linens lying about too, but the face covering of Jesus was neatly folded and laid to the side.

The significance of the napkin is important. To understand why this passage is notable is to first understand about Hebrew traditions of the day. The folded napkin has to do with the master and the servant. Every Jewish boy knew this custom. When the servant set the table for the master it had to be exactly the way the master wanted it. The table was furnished perfectly and the servant would wait, just out of sight, until the master had finished eating. The servant would not dare touch the table until the master was finished. If the master was done eating, he would rise from the table, wipe his face, hands and mouth and wad up the napkin and toss it on the table. The servant would then know to clean the table. In those days, the wadded napkin meant, “I’m done”.

But if the master got up from the table and folded the napkin and laid it beside his plate, the servant would not dare touch the table, because…the folded napkin meant, “I am coming back”.

Tomorrow we will celebrate Easter. This was promised to us in scripture and the Word was fulfilled when Jesus died, was raised from the dead and appeared to us again. God’s Son Jesus was sacrificed to take all of our sins upon Himself and offer us the gift of salvation. We can be free from sin, repent and follow Him. The significance of the folded napkin in the tomb assures us Jesus is coming back for us when it is time. We have this beautiful gift to live and follow all the remaining days of our lives. We have God’s unconditional love and grace.  Thanks be to God.

Patty