“Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen cloths lying there, and the face cloth, which had been on Jesus’ head, not lying with the linen cloths but folded up in a place by itself.” John 20:6-7
Can you imagine walking into the cold, dark tomb of our Savior Jesus? Can you imagine walking into a place of finality, and seeing it was indeed finished? Can you imagine walking into what represents disorder to us in the moments of our grief, and finding a folded napkin?
That is exactly what Peter and John found. A folded napkin. Among the linen cloth that had wrapped the body of their friend, teacher and Savior was a folded napkin. I believe with all of my heart that Jesus was leaving us a message.
Among the chaos of our life, there is a folded napkin. Among the pain and suffering, there is a napkin. Among the questions, the what if’s and the whys, there is a folded napkin. Among the heartbreak, the crushing weight of it all, there is a folded napkin. Among the lasts; the last breath, the last tear, the last to leave the nest empty, the last sight of a loved one, there is a folded napkin.
Among the joys and celebration, there is a folded napkin. Among the weddings and the births, there is a folded napkin. Among all the firsts; the first steps, the first date, the first kiss, the first love, there is a folded napkin. Among the new jobs and promotions, there is a folded napkin.
The folded napkin represents order. You see God has an order to all that He does. Nothing ever catches Him by surprise. He is never early or late, He is always on time. He never says, “well, I didn’t see that coming…”. God knows the beginning and the ending of everything. He knows the answer to all the questions we have. He knows all the reasons why we reason with Him. He knows, and He is a God of order.
“For God is not a God of disorder, but of peace…” 1 Corinthians 14:3
So rest today. Rest in knowing that He is Sovereign, He is in control. He rules and He reigns. He loves and He disciplines. Jesus folded the napkin, so we would know that He knows all things and He has them all worked out. He folded the napkin so we would know His order and His peace. Rest in that today.
Living Free,
Rene’
I will never see a folded napkin any other way now. We use cloth napkins 3 times a day in our home and now when I go to tuck a napkin under each dinner plate, I will ask God to show Himself to be a God of order and peace in that person’s life who will be using that folded napkin. Thank you!!