The sign of return

by Rapha Abreu·October 31, 2023·2 min read

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The Bible is full of details, and the more we study and get to know it, the more we realize those that make all the difference. Today, I want to talk about the death of Jesus and how the tomb was left when the promise is fulfilled.

Folding the cloth

When Jesus died, a cloth was placed over his face at the time of burial. In John 20:7, we can see that the cloth was not just left aside when He rose, as all the cloths were left in the tomb:

“…while the cloth that had covered Jesus’ head was folded up and lying apart from the other wrappings.“

At that time, while the master was eating, the servant would stay out of his sight. When he finished, he would crumple the cloth and set it aside, which meant the servant could clear the table, as the master would not return.

If the master got up but, before doing so, folded the cloth, it meant he would come back, and the servant should wait for him.

Other studies also suggest that if a man went to eat at the house of his intended bride’s family and folded the cloth when leaving, it meant he would come back to become her husband, in other words, he would return to his bride…

Waiting for the Lord

“Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many. And He will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for Him.”
Hebrews 9:27-28

Jesus folded the cloth. He was indicating that He would return, that this was not the end. He showed in every detail that the table would not remain empty, that He would come back to claim His bride.

A whole verse tells us that he left it folded. A whole verse shows us that we will never be alone again, for He is a present God, the One whom not even death could stop.

May we be like the servant who used to wait: near the table, awaiting the return of our Lord.

We don’t know when He will come back. But, until He returns, we must remember the promise left in the fold of the small cloth that “He will come!”. We need to keep working to receive Him in the best way, attentive to the moment when He will pass through the door, and we will see Him sit at the table again.

Wait for Him while working to meet Him again.