Burt, Chuck

Scripture: John 20:3-7 (MSG) – “Peter and the other disciple left immediately for the tomb. They ran, neck and neck. The other disciple got to the tomb first, outrunning Peter. Stooping to look in, he saw the pieces of linen cloth lying there, but he didn’t go in. Simon Peter arrived after him, entered the tomb, observed the linen cloths lying there, and the kerchief used to cover his head not lying with the linen cloths but separate, neatly folded by itself.”

Message: The Bible takes an entire verse to tell us that the head cloth was neatly folded and placed at the head of the tomb. Why is that important? To understand the significance of the folded cloth you have to understand a little bit about Hebrew tradition of that day. The folded cloth had to do with the Master and Servant relationship. The servant set the table and then would wait just out of sight until the master had finished eating. The servant did dare not touch the table until the master was finished. If the master was done he would rise from the table, wipe his fingers and clean his mouth and beard and then would wad up the cloth napkin and toss it on the table. The servant then knew it was time to clear the table. In those days the wadded cloth meant, “I am Finished”. If the master got up from the table and folded the cloth and laid it beside his plate the servant knew not to touch the table….. The folded cloth meant “I am Coming Back!” Jesus assured us in so many ways, some of which are not obvious to us today that He is “Coming Back”.

Prayer: Jesus, thank You for Your promise to always be there with us. While Your time on earth in human form was short, You assured us that You are there with us through Your Holy Spirit and that You are coming back. Amen.

Chuck Burt

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