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. Was that significant? Yes! Absolutely! You’d better believe it was really significant?
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 in Jesus’ day. When the servant set the dinner table for the master, he made sure that it was set 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. The way that the servant would know that the master was done eating was; the master would rise from the table, take his napkin and wipe his fingers, his mouth, and clean his beard, and would then wad up that napkin and toss it onto the table. The wadded napkin meant, “I’m done,” so the servant would
then know to clear the table. But if the master got up from the table, and folded his napkin, and laid it beside his plate, the servant would know not to touch the table because the master was not finished eating yet and would be coming back to finish his
meal.
 
Likewise, Jesus’ folded napkin meant, “I’m not finished yet, I’m coming
back!”

Submitted by Donna Dugan

John 20:7


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