"Then Simon Peter . . . went to the tomb; and he saw the linen cloths lying there, and the handkerchief that had been around His head, not lying with the linen cloths, but folded together in a place by itself."
During Jesus' time there was one way a carpenter let the contractor know a job was finished. A signature, so to speak.
Imagine a hot afternoon in Galilee. Jesus has completed the final pieces of a job he has worked on for several days. The hair of his strong forearms is matted with sawdust and sweat. His face is shiny with heat. He takes a final -- and welcome -- drink of cool water from a leather bag.
He pours water over his face and chest to clean himself before his journey home. With a nearby towel, he pats his face and arms dry.
Finally, Jesus folds the towel neatly. He sets it on the finished work and walks away. Later, whoever arrives to inspect the work will see the towel and understand its simple message: The work is finished.
On a Sunday of sorrow, Peter will crouch to look into an empty tomb and see only the linens that the risen Lord has left behind.
A smile will cross Peter's face as his sorrow is replaced by hope, for he will see the wrap that had covered Jesus' face. Peter understands. The carpenter has left behind a simple message.
IT IS FINISHED.
--John 20:6-7
During Jesus' time there was one way a carpenter let the contractor know a job was finished. A signature, so to speak.
Imagine a hot afternoon in Galilee. Jesus has completed the final pieces of a job he has worked on for several days. The hair of his strong forearms is matted with sawdust and sweat. His face is shiny with heat. He takes a final -- and welcome -- drink of cool water from a leather bag.
He pours water over his face and chest to clean himself before his journey home. With a nearby towel, he pats his face and arms dry.
Finally, Jesus folds the towel neatly. He sets it on the finished work and walks away. Later, whoever arrives to inspect the work will see the towel and understand its simple message: The work is finished.
On a Sunday of sorrow, Peter will crouch to look into an empty tomb and see only the linens that the risen Lord has left behind.
A smile will cross Peter's face as his sorrow is replaced by hope, for he will see the wrap that had covered Jesus' face. Peter understands. The carpenter has left behind a simple message.
IT IS FINISHED.
--Sigmund Brouwer
AMEN! Thank God IT IS FINISHED!!!!
