I received the following teaching from a friend. Reading it has blessed me greatly. I hope it does the same for you. I have changed the wording, punctuation, etc. slightly in order to make the narrative appear grammatically correct. L.J.

In the gospel of John (20:7) we are told that the napkin that was placed over the face of Jesus was not cast aside along with the other grave clothes. John tells us that the napkin was neatly folded and placed on the stone slab where Jesus had lain for three days and nights.

The folding and placement of the napkin sends the reader a significant message. In order to understand the symbolic importance of the ritual involving a seemingly unimportant piece of fabric one must understand one of the Hebrew traditions of that day.

The folded napkin had to do with the relationship between the master of the house and his servant. Jewish males were well versed in the napkin tradition. When the servant set the dinner table for the master he was careful to arrange the table according to the master’s exact specifications. After furnishing the table perfectly, the servant would take up his post just out of his master’s sight where he would wait quietly until his master had finished eating and had left the table.

Upon finishing his meal, the master would rise from the table, wipe his fingers, lips and beard on the napkin. Then he would wad it up and toss it onto the table, signifying to the servant that he would not be returning to the table. However, if he folded the napkin and laid it beside his plate he was signifying that he would be returning. By folding the facial napkin and placing it where His head had lain Jesus was saying to His faithful saints: “I am coming back.”

As I write this a warm, pleasant chill is coursing through my upper body. Come quickly, Lord Jesus. L.J.