Imagine why I would want to talk about a napkin. Can’t even fathom why?! Most of us have just finished wonderful meals this Easter (Resurrection) Sunday. They were beyond amazing. However, what about the events leading up to the celebration of Easter? The sacrifice, the discipline, the loss, the steadfast belief beyond all human ability to understand to believe a man would rise from the dead. (We know He was no ordinary man!) This is what happened that Resurrection Sunday. 

 

The boulder rolled – it rolled and rolled. Not to let Him out, but to let us in! Then what did we find? According to various accounts, the tomb was empty. It was empty of His body. But He left something behind. Something for us to notice. The accounts tell us that Peter and John ran to the tomb. More accurately, John outran Peter. John looked in, but Peter went into the tomb. This is what he found. John 20:7 says: “The wrapping that had been on His head was not lying with the linen cloths but was folded up in a separate place by itself.” The cloth was folded neatly by itself, somewhat, if you will forgive me here, like a napkin. Let’s digest this moment.

 

This is important. Have you ever thought about what you do with your napkin? On the table, on your lap, in your hand waded up? What do you do with it? Well, this particular cloth and what was done with it is significant. As our pastor says, “And here’s the reason why….”

 

We have to look behind the significance of the folded napkin. We have to understand a little bit about Hebrew tradition of that day. The folded napkin had to do with the Master and Servant. 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 were done eating, he would rise from the table, wipe his fingers, his mouth, 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!’ 

 

This should have been a sign to the disciples. So significant! It must have bewildered them. They knew He had died. Some watched Him die. Yet, here He left a cloth to let them know through tradition that He will be coming back just as He said.  How could they have missed it? It’s easy on this side of the table to ask. 

 

He invites all to come to the banquet table. He will be coming back. The napkin is folded and ready. Are we ready? The Table will be set, but will the Table be filled?

Hugs,

kjs☀️