The Journey Continues: The Empty Tomb - a Refresh

A couple of years ago I wrote about The Empty Tomb for Easter. Not wanting to rehash what I had written then, I wanted to share two things about The Empty Tomb that have struck me in these last two years.

The Folded Face Napkin

I wasn't aware of the significance of this until I read a devotional that explained why this was mentioned in John's Gospel (John 20:7). In the Hebrew tradition, the servant would lay out his master's place at the table, carefully preparing everything as the master wanted it, including the folded napkin. If the master got up from the table and wadded up the napkin, tossing it on the table, it was a signal to the servant that he was finished. If, however, the master folded the napkin, it was the signal that he was coming back. 

We, in our 21st century context, don't see what this signifies. But to the readers of John's Gospel in the 1st century, they would have known what it meant: the Master was coming back. 

The Disciples at The Empty Tomb

Again, in John's Gospel, we see the response of two of Jesus' disciples, one being Peter, the other unnamed, which we can assume is John himself. Mary Magdalene has returned to them after seeing The Empty Tomb, and they run to see it for themselves. We are told in verse 4 that "the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first." (For those of you who have watched "The Chosen", there are occasional references to Simon-Peter being a slow runner because of his shins. I love how they have set that up for Peter and John racing to The Empty Tomb, and John getting there first.) When John gets there, he stops, and looked in. But Peter - impetuous Peter - goes in without hesitation. If we read the Gospels enough, we can see that Peter is headstrong, to the point where, on "The Chosen", he's called the "teacher's pet." We also see that Peter is fallible, and tactless, to the point of Jesus scolding him. So, Peter running into the tomb so fits his character. 

The Takeaway

First, we can be assured of Jesus' return. When, we don't know. Jesus himself did not know. Second, I see the response of Peter and John as being a response many of us have to The Empty Tomb: we are either cautious, or we are headstrong. An Easter sermon delivered over 50 years ago by Bruce Thielemann encouraged Christians to claim Easter, as Peter did. Claim it for ourselves. Live it every day. 

Because the resurrected Lord is with us every day. Alive. In our hearts. 

Have a blessed Easter. 

Soli Deo Gloria