The cloth shroud of Jesus Christ

        The cloth shroud of Jesus Christ

                                                            Bro. M. Geo Prakash

I was recently able to learn a truth about the cloth that was tied around the head of Jesus Christ when He was buried. I think it will be useful for many.

Jesus Christ was wrapped in linen cloth and buried according to Jewish custom. The Gospel of John clearly explains that he rose from the dead on the third day. Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and saw that the stone that covered the tomb door had been turned over and ran to tell the disciples. The incident that follows is described in the Bible as follows.

“Peter therefore went forth, and that other disciple, and came to the sepulchre. So they ran both together: and the other disciple did outrun Peter, and came first to the sepulchre. And he stooping down, and looking in, saw the linen clothes lying; yet went he not in. Then cometh Simon Peter following him, and went into the sepulchre, and seeth the linen clothes lie, and the napkin, that was about his head, not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itself. (John 20: 3-7)

Scholars say that this explains an important fact.

In the Jewish custom, when a leader sits down to eat, the food "table" is better clothed and the food served properly. The waiter must serve the food on the plates, and then leave. He should not be watching the leader eat food. He should come there only if the leader calls when needed.

After having food the leader wipes his hands, mouth and beard with a cloth and throws the cloth away. Then the servant will go in and clean everything. Sometimes if the leader has to go out in a hurry while eating he will fold the cloth and leave it alone in the dining area without throwing it away. To do so is to make the servant realize that he will return. Then the servant will wait for the leader.

Isn’t that amazing? Scripture thus clearly records the matter of this cloth. Yes Jesus Christ reminds us again and again that he is coming back just as he said. "Behold, I come quickly, and the reward that I give unto every one according to his works is with me" (Revelation 23:12).

"He that testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen, the Lord Jesus cometh" (Revelation 23:20).