Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen cloths lying there, 7 and the face cloth, which had been on Jesus head, not lying with the linen cloths but folded up in a place by itself. John 20:7
A Jewish tradition for burial during the earthly life of Jesus was that the body of the deceased was wrapped with separate cloths than the one used for the face and head. The fact that the Scripture makes it clear that Peter focused on the distinction between the body cloths and face cloth tells us that it is something of significance.
And it can be linked to another Jewish tradition. During a meal, if the person hosting the meal, wiped their mouth with a napkin and then placed it on the plate, it meant they were finished and they would not be returning. But if they wiped their mouth folded the napkin neatly and left it meant they were coming back.
When Peter saw the folded head napkin it was a sign from Jesus that He would return. Now as significant as it was for the disciples to whom Jesus promised He would rise again in three days; it is also Him telling all the Believers from that time on that He will return again for us. What a beautiful reminder as we are “waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ. . .” Titus 2:13 when He comes in the clouds to take us home.
Leave a Reply