Our Redemption (Easter)

It was a Sunday morning when Jesus rose. Women had come to visit Him in the grave, but He was nowhere to be found. The guards that had been protecting His burial site slept, and woke to the stone rolled away and the presence of the angel. They became like dead men as the angel took a seat on the rock.

The women saw that Jesus was not in the grave, He had risen. The angel told them that He was Risen, to go because He had risen as had been predicted. They ran to the eleven disciples, to tell them of what they have seen. When they went back to the grave, and saw that it was empty, they too were surprised.

Jesus had folded the cloth that had been thrown over his face (John 20). I never understood the context of this. In fact, it seems unlikely that I ever noticed this part of the resurrection story, until a Facebook post that my father shared. I attempted to figure out who had started the thread, but I cannot, so I cannot give credit.

However, the historical context of this, starts at the dinner table. A master would give different signs for the current state of his meal, using his napkin. (If you have been in Foods in High School, you probably understand passive aggressive utensil language.) If a master was done, he would throw his napkin onto his plate, so that his servants knew that they could clear the table. If he folded it, it was a sign to the servants that He would be coming back.

Mind. Blown.

The disciples would have known this, and they knew that this cloth meant that He would be coming back. They left from that place, and returned to their homage. Jesus visited them there. He showed the wounds of His hands and His feet, for them to see. Thomas, one of the disciples had not been present, Jesus went to him.

His wounds were seen and His resurrection evident.

Jesus remained on the earth for forty days after His resurrection. He spent this time in the continuation of His ministry. Teaching His disciples, to continue being fishermen of men.

Then Jesus ascended, with the promise of His return.

He died.

He rose.

He is coming back.

It is finished.