The Napkin, John 20:7 (Part 2)

Every Easter our churches fill up with people who want to remember our Lord's death and resurrection. It is wonderful to see the church pews so full, but it is sad to know that very few people are knowledgeable about the facts and circumstances surrounding these historical events. There is an email that is being circulated about the napkin or cloth covering Jesus' face and the meaning that this napkin holds. This cloth was found laying on the stone bench by Peter and John and depending on what version of the Bible you have the cloth was either wrapped or rolled. What does this napkin really have to tell us? Let us take a closer look and you can decide for yourself. To have a full understanding of this article you can link to the first part of this article below:

Most everyone is familiar with the basics of Jesus' resurrection. He was put on the cross and was crucified to die for our sins. He defeated death and rose from the dead on the third day and proved, that He indeed is God. (I understand that not everyone believes that this is true but that is their issue with God and not me.) It surprises me that some folks haven't even heard this much about the greatest event in human history.

It was the Sunday after Jesus Christ was crucified on the cross. It was very early in the morning because it was still dark. Mary Magdalene was on her way to Jesus' tomb to mourn and to wash the exterior of his tomb with her tears. When Mary Magdalene arrived at the tomb she unexpectedly found the tomb of Christ unsealed and empty. She immediately ran away and she came upon Peter and John. Mary Magdalene thought that someone had taken Jesus' body to another location. When the two disciples heard the news from Mary Magdalene, they ran as fast as they could to Jesus' tomb only to find out that Mary Magdalene was telling the truth.

John was faster than Peter and when John arrived at the tomb he stopped at the entrance. John then stooped over and peered into Christ's tomb. Peter arrived soon after John and didn't hesitate at the entrance of the tomb, Peter boldly entered the sepulcher. John followed Peter into the tomb and the Bible describes the scene this way in The Gospel of John chapter 20 verses 6 thru 8. "...and seeth the linen clothes lie, and the napkin, that was about his head, not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itself. Then went in also that other disciple, which came first to the sepulcher, and he saw, and believed."

What was it that John saw to cause him to believe in Jesus? For John to believe that Jesus was who he said he was, truly the 'Son of God'? First of all, the burial clothes were in proper order. The fine linens were undisturbed and not tossed about like someone who was in a hurry to get out of a tomb. The burial clothes were organized and it was as if they were meant to be found that way. Also, if someone were to have moved Christ's body they would not have taken the time to take the burial clothes off of him and then lay the linens out in such a proper fashion. These weren't just any burial clothes either. The Bible says that Nicodemus brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes weighing about one hundred pounds. Christ was packed in these burial clothes tightly with a lot of care and things that added up to a lot of weight. It seems that if anyone would have taken Jesus out of his burial linens they would have made quite a mess. And if someone wanted to take his body elsewhere they would not have wanted to carry away a naked mangled body. Secondly, it was not grave robbers who were very common in that time. If it were grave robbers they would have taken the fine linens and not have left them behind. It was clear to John that something extraordinary had happened. The burial clothes were left behind because Jesus didn't need them anymore. He had arose to die no more, death had no power over 'The Son of Man'. Christ was now clothed in heavenly robes of glory. (If you are familiar with the story of Lazarus, you will remember that Lazarus came out of the grave with his burial clothes on. This was so because Lazarus would need them again.)

This is a little deeper but very powerful. Christ, left the grave in this manner so that the Saints would know not to fear death. The sheets had been laid in the grave as sheets are put on a comfortable bed. The Saints are to use the grave as a bed that Christ has prepared for us and the linen cloth or napkin, that covered Christ's head, is to be used as a cloth for the mourning survivors to wipe away their tears. This is truly the meaning of Jesus' burial napkin.

Jesus had told the disciples that he would be crucified, that 'The Son of Man' had to pay for the sins of humanity. However, the disciples didn't know the scriptures and that Christ was prophesied to be raised from the dead on the third day. As far as the disciples were concerned they had not expected Jesus' to defeat death and to be resurrected. If they had expected this event they would not have been so scared and mourning so deeply.

Praise God that he has provide a path to reunite men and women to himself through his beloved son, Jesus Christ. The most famous verse in the Bible says it all, John 3:16, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." Jesus spoke these words for all men to hear. Amen!