Tuesday, May 13, 2014
John 20:6-7 Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen cloths lying there, and the face cloth, which had been on Jesus' head, not lying with the linen cloths but folded up in a place by itself.
THE CURIOUS CLOTH
When Peter hurried into the tomb on Easter morning, what he found puzzled him. Jesus dead body was not there. That was shocking enough. But the state of the tomb was even more curious. If someone had wanted to steal Jesus' body away from the tomb, they would have had to do so with speed, and with a serious group of mercenaries. The tomb had been guarded by a group of Roman soldiers.
But the body wrapped for burial had not been stolen away with haste. The body was gone, but the grave clothes were still there. And not only that, the cloth which had covered Jesus' head was lying separate from the rest--folded neatly. Huh?
Someone had patiently folded this cloth and set it aside like a towel that had served its purpose, but was no longer needed. In this little detail we are reminded of the reality of Christ's resurrection. We are also reminded of the absolute control that our Savior had. He didn't have to hurry like a grave robber--he was now using his full powers as the God-Man. He could afford to pause and fold up that head cloth.
Peter's mind and heart were racing fast that morning. Panic, fear, and a million questions banged around in his head. Control was the last thing Peter had. But the risen Savior was in complete control. His mission to redeem all sinners had been accomplished on the cross. Now He had risen to life again just like the prophecy had foretold. And soon, the world would know it was true. And his message of grace would flow out into to the people who needed it so desperately.
Control. Certainty. Peace. These are things that curious cloth remind us of.
