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Ancient Etiquette
I have recieved this from more than one contributor and thought it might be interesting to you;
Why did Jesus fold the linen burial cloth after His resurrection?
(ever noticed this?)
John 20:7 tells us that the napkin, which was placed over the face of Jesus, was not 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.
Early that Sunday morning, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and found that the stone had been rolled away from the entrance.
She ran and found Simon Peter, and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved.
She said, "They have taken the Lord's body and I don't know where they have taken Him!".
Peter and the other disciple ran to the tomb to see.
The other disciple out ran Peter and got there first.
He stooped and looked in and saw the linen cloth lying there, but he didn't go in.
Then Simon Peter arrived and went inside.
He also noticed the linen wrappings lying there, while the napkin that had covered Jesus face was folded up and lying to one side.
Is that important?
(It Absolutely Is really significant)
In order to understand the significance of the folded napkin, you have to understand a little bit about the Hebrew tradition of that day.
The folded napkin had to do with the Master and Servant, and every Jewish boy knew this tradition.
When the Servant set the dinner table for the Master, he made sure 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.
The Servant would not dare touch that table until the Master was finished.
If the Master were done eating, he would rise from the table, wipe his fingers, his mouth, and clean his beard and would `WAD` up that napkin and toss it onto the table.
The servant would then know to clear the table.
In those days, the wadded napkin meant,
"I'm finished".
If the Master got up from the table, and folded his napkin beside his plate, the servant would not dare touch the table, because
The folded napkin meant,
~ "I'm coming back!"~.
OH,YES!
The `MASTER` is ~TRULY~ Coming Back!
During this Holy season, I know WE are blessed with peace and joy in the knowledge that He IS coming back.
YES!--YES!--YES!
Green words were added by John-Paul Wood just before Easter. May his joy overflow into our hearts and plant seeds to bring forth crop in all seasons.
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Affects Today
Momma preached a sermon on Isa 40:28-31
28 Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding.
29 He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.
30 Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall:
31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
KJV
Zeroing in on verse 31's addressees. She likened "they that wait upon the Lord" unto they that wait upon customers in that day. As I looked around then I saw people busy about the business of having everything in order so the customer would have as plesant a shopping or eating experience as they could provide. Regardless of the number of customers the servants were occupied while ever alert.
The story of the renewing of the eagle is festinating as he looks to the sun I have heard many times but Momma's sermon is the one that echoes through time into my soul.
There are still some places of business where I find her example is true though many have become slothful. And then I am reminded of the Scripture that tells us 2 Thess 3:12-15
12 Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.
13 But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing.
14 And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed.
15 Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.
This month we shall think about encourging ourselves to wait upon the Lord according to His plan and therefore being renewed in strength.
May 1 Building on the promises of God by
Jo Ann Kelly
May 8 Absolutes by
Jim Busby
May 15 God's Promise to You by
Ann Hart
May 22 Whisper Jesus by
Gayle Alatia
May 29 Camel Ride Through Life's Desert by
Marilyn Ferguson
May we remember the charge He has given us much like this parable:
Luke 19:13-15
And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come.
14 But his citizens hated him, and sent a message after him, saying, We will not have this man to reign over us.
15 And it came to pass, that when he was returned, having received the kingdom, then he commanded these servants to be called unto him, to whom he had given the money, that he might know how much every man had gained by trading.
KJV
And remember . . . .
Gal 6:9-10
9 . . . let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.
KJV
Borrowing from John-Paul
I know WE are blessed with peace and joy in the knowledge that He IS coming back.
YES!--YES!--YES!
Leola
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