Subscribe To This Site

The Folded Napkin

Why was the linen burial cloth, which was placed on Jesus' face, folded up and laying to one side? One person suggested that in order to understand the significance of the folded napkin requires an understanding of 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, for the servant would not dare touch the 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 his beard, and would wad up the 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 finished." 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!"

The Lord's Return
Scripture reveals that Christ's return would involve every Christian. They will be caught up to meet the Lord in the clouds, instantaneously receiving glorified bodies. All those who have died "in Christ" will be resurrected first; then those who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we aways be with the Lord (1 Thessalonians 4:13-17).
An excitement should be in the air, just as it when I first read about the folding of the napkin and its meaning! We celebrate Christ's resurrection from the grave, victory over death, and a promising future to the believer in Christ. The apostle Paul wrote: Christ is risen from the dead, and become the first fruits of them that have fallen asleep, or have died. For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection from the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive (1 Corinthians 15:20-23).
Jesus is Coming Back!
The message of the folded napkin is: "I'm coming back!" Are you ready for Jesus' appearance, are you watching, are you prepared to receive such a glorious promise? We are seeing heart breaking developments in the world today that does nothing but speed our Lord's return when our heavenly Father sends Him to gather His own. No wonder He will descend from heaven with a shout, no wonder it will be such a glorious event that will unfold in the twinkling of an eye, because it will be a victorious moment that will ursher in the kingdom of God to its fullness.