Napkin is a Sign

Jesus would have been killed several times. King Herod tried to kill Him when He was a baby (Matthew 2:16); Satan tried to persuade Him to jump from a high place (Matthew 4:6); the people of Nazareth attempted to throw Him over a cliff (Luke 4:29); and on several occasions, the Pharisees sought to kill Him.

So the death of Jesus was not the victim of chance, but on the contrary, He willing gave Himself to the will of God. He had to go to the cross (Luke 22:42), but not because He was forced to, but because He wanted to. He did it for us out of love.

He was "the Lamb of GOD slain from the foundation of the world" (Revelation 13:8). At the right time Jesus died on the cross as a ransom for many. On the third day He has risen as He said!

When Peter and John ran to the tomb after hearing from Mary Magdalene that the tomb was empty, they both ran to the tomb and "found the linen cloths lying there, and the napkin that was on His face was not lying with the linen cloths, but folded together in a place by itself....and when the other disciple (John), came to the tomb....he saw and believed" (John 20:1-10).

The folding of the napkin is a Jewish custom which is being done by a distinguished guest as an appreciation to the host for their warm reception. It is a thanksgiving for their food and a hope for another invitation to dine. That means "would come again". In the empty tomb, Jesus left the napkin as a sign for all that "He was risen, but would come again."

JESUS CHRIST, SON OF GOD AND OUR SAVIOUR, DIED FOR OUR SINS AND MADE US ALIVE FROM THE DEAD OF TRESPASSES AND SINS; AND INDEED HE HAS RISEN FROM THE DEAD AND WE ALSO WILL RESURRECT LIKE HIM WHEN HE RETURN BACK AND BE WITH HIM FOREVER.