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| Holy Scripture Believers Church's blog |
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Why did Jesus fold the napkin?
Why did Jesus fold the linen burial cloth after His resurrection?
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.
1. 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.
2. 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!"
3. Peter and the other disciple ran to the tomb to see.
4. The other disciple outran Peter and got there first.
5. He stooped and looked in and saw the linen cloth lying there, but he didn't go in.
6. Then Simon Peter arrived and went inside. He also noticed the linen wrappings lying there,
7. while the cloth that had covered Jesus' head was folded up and lying to the side.
Is 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 was 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 done". 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!"
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Reading: Matthew 25:1-13
"Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart"
(Col 4:2)
Vigilance is indispensable for victorious Christian life. The enemy of God becomes our enemy when we decide to walk in God's ways. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for some victim to devour. Therefore we are warned in the Scriptures: "Be careful! Watch out for attacks from the Devil, your great enemy" (1 Pet 5:8). Apostle Peter, who wrote this, knew how his failure to be watchful in prayer in the Garden of Gethsamane led to his fall. He must have remembered the Words of Jesus: "Keep alert and pray. Otherwise temptation will overpower you. For though the spirit is willing, the body is weak" (Mt 26:41).
There are several reasons why we must stay alert. Deception abounds everywhere in Christendom. False prophets outnumber genuine ministers of God. Jesus forewarned His disciples, "Take heed that no one deceives you" (Mt 24:4; Mk 13:5). Prevention is better than cure.
We are basically selfish. We are naturally careful in safeguarding our interests, but not sensitive enough not to hurt anyone. Unless we are vigilant and careful we will easily become an offense to people. Jesus pronounced "Woe" to the ones who cause offense (Lk 17:1-3).
God has blessed us with gifts and graces. They are committed to our trust. Like good stewards we must guard them against loss and abuse. We must be extra-cautious over areas in life where we are weak. In His letter to the Church in Sardis, Christ warned, "Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die! (Rev 3:2).
King David's laziness and lack of vigilance led him to adultery and murder (2 Sam 11:1,2,14,15). Apostle Peter's failure to be watchful made him deny and even curse his loving Lord, just to save himself (Mt 26:40,69-75). The story of the five foolish virgins is the strongest rebuke on slackness and obliviousness (Mt 25:1-13).
Those active in God's work must beware of becoming too busy in blessing others to find time to take care of their own vineyard (SS 1:6). Prayer life will dwindle without a conscious and consistent effort to be watchful. Prayerfulness and watchfulness are inseparable companions. The Shulamite woman's testimony should be ours too: "I sleep, but my heart is awake!" (SS 5:2).
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Reading: Genesis 26:12-34
"Sow your seed in the morning, and at evening let not your hands be idle" (Eccl 11:6)
Evangelism is compared to agriculture. The planters are those who meet others to share about Christ. One cannot sow seeds or reap harvest if he keeps waiting for a conducive atmosphere. "He who observes the wind will not sow, and he who regards the clouds will not reap" (Eccl 11:1-6). The Biblical command is, "Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season" (2 Tim 4: 2). Share the Gospel with as many people as possible. Distribute as many gospel tracts as possible. "Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously" (2 Cor 9:6).
I believe in Ecclesiastes 11:2,6, "Give a serving to seven, and also to eight, for you do not know what evil will be on the earth...In the morning sow your seed, and in the evening do not withhold your hand; for you do not know which will prosper, either this or that, or whether both alike will be good."
Do not belittle the opportunities that appear small. When the small mustard seed is sown in the ground, does it not grow to be a big tree in whose branches the birds come and perch? (Mt 13:31,32). When one individual is led to Christ, does not a multitude come to know the Lord through him? Andrew introduced the Messiah to his brother Peter (Jn 1:41,42). We do know how Peter was instrumental for the salvation of thousands (Acts 2:41; 4:4).
We need to sacrifice our comforts if we are to win souls. The sower starts out early morning to do the difficult tasks of ploughing the land, sowing the seeds, watering the plants, removing the weeds and manuring. In Luke 13:7,8, we read of the gardener who laboured patiently for three years with the fig tree which did not yield fruit, saying, "I will dig around it and fertilize it." "Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy" (Psa 126:5,6).
Sowing will go waste if it is not followed up by regular watering. Those who come to Christ must be frequently met with. In addition to praying with them, we must systematically teach them from the Scriptures and strengthen them in the fellowship of God's people. Enemies sow weeds when the labourers sleep (Mt 13:24,25). Satan is just ready to destroy souls with false teaching, adulterated gospel and backsliding. Soul winners must be known for their alertness.
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Reading: Matthew 23:23-33
"First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean"
(Mt 23:26)
Hypocrisy means contradiction. That is, the difference between thoughts and words— keeping something in mind and saying something else. It is also a contradiction between words and deeds (Mt 23:2,3); a difference between life inside home and outside. There are some who behave themselves excellently outside, but their behaviour at home will be awful. They will be like angels on Sundays and the devil during weekdays.
How does hypocrisy arise? Many think that it is alright to be hypocritical. They find fault with others and justify themselves (Mt 7:4,5). One reason is that they simply `act' desiring public applause (Mt 23:27,28). Another reason is that they give undue emphasis to the external things rather than the inward life (Mt 23:25,26). Covetousness (Ezek 33:31) and emphasizing minor things rather than the fundamentals are also the other reasons (Mt 23:24). Jesus did not say, "Woe unto you, adulterers…thieves…murderers...," but He repeatedly pronounced, "Woe unto you, hypocrites." Hypocrisy is that grave a sin.
Hypocrisy is mostly seen in spiritual matters. Some praise and worship God with their mouths, but their hearts are not one with Him (Mt 15:7-9). They will be eager to listen to His Word but they do not do what it says (Ezek 33:31,32). Some will be preaching to others only (Rom 2:21-23; Psa 50:16). These people will be active in even religious exercises such as almsgiving, praying in a flowery language and fasting (Mt 6:2,5,16). These hypocrites will act as though they are nice to others but in their hearts they will set traps for them.
The Bible teaches that the hope and happiness of hypocrites will not last long but will perish soon (Job 8:13-15). If God says "Woe" to the hypocrites, we can guess their future. The first sin judged in the infant Church was hypocrisy (Acts 5:1-11).
Hypocrisy retards spiritual growth (1 Pet 2:1-3). God's children should never give place to hypocrisy. God knows every one of our thoughts, actions and whereabouts (Psa 139). The fear that we would have to stand in front of God's judgment seat should never leave us (2 Cor 5:10-12).
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Reading: John 4:8-15; 39-42
"Whoever is thirsty, let him come; whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life" (Rev 22:17)
"Buy one! Get one free!" Such advertisements make thousands rush into shops. Hardly anyone takes seriously the divine offer: "Salvation free!" Is it because we have not made the simple plan of God's great salvation clear to people?
A woman in a village of Samaria was living in adultery. She was enjoying sin like drinking water. But the moment she found out that Jesus was the Christ, and drank the Water of Life given by Him, she could not contain it within herself. She ran to her village and became a Gospel broadcaster. But the villagers were apprehensive of accepting the message because it was "she"—a woman like her—who brought it to them (Jn 4:42). Because her testimony in the society was so bad, they couldn't believe that she was changed. Nevertheless, she was really saved and that was by her simple faith. That's why Jesus told the religious leaders and influential men of His day, "I assure you, corrupt tax collectors and prostitutes will get into the Kingdom of God before you" (Mt 21:31).
Man wants to do something and "earn" salvation so he can boast. But God will never share His glory with anyone. He has said, "I will not give my glory to another" (Isa 48:11). He gives His salvation absolutely free, so all glory, honour and praise may go to Him only! Our responsibility is to accept His offer in simple faith. This faith is emphatically stated in Ephesians 2:8,9, "God saved you by His special favour when you believed. And you can't take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it."
Believing on Christ is the only way to be saved! Don't get stuck up worrying over the awfulness of your past life. Come to God as you are! The Blood of Jesus will cleanse you from all sin. You will be instantly justified—as if you had never sinned! Salvation is free. Believe and receive it—now!
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