The Folded Face Cloth of Jesus

He also saw the face cloth that had been on Jesus’ head. It wasn’t with the other clothes but was folded up in its own place.

And that the handkerchief that had been on Jesus\’ head was not lying with the linen cloths but was rolled up in a separate place.

-John 20:7 (CEB, ISV)

Have you ever thought about how Jesus took the burial cloth, that was on his head, and folded or rolled it up and set it aside? Jesus was a real person during his life and remained a real person when he rose from death.

Jesus is not like a super hero who floated around.  Jesus was a person who was knowable in his life and is knowable today.

When he was raised back from death, he folded his clothes like he always did.  Jesus had just done the most powerful thing ever, dying for the sins of every human; past, present, and future.  He then carefully folded the face cloth or handkerchief.

We know that Jesus’ body was not stolen by thieves.  And have you ever heard of thieves who tidy up when they leave?

Jesus is orderly.  When he fed the 5,000 in John 6, did you ever notice that he had them collect the leftovers, so that none would go to waste?  Jesus shows how to live a life governed by etiquette and protocol, through love.  Jesus was obedient to God and the law of God, while not being legalistic.

Jesus was not some sort of magical, mystical, spirit-man; who just went through the motions of his life, to get the job of Christ done.  He was a real person.  He did not walk six inches off the ground, but he got tired, was hungry, felt emotional pain, and probably stepped in animal waste.

This is part of the scandal of the gospel.  Not only a naked man dying an excruciating death, but a seemingly normal man, living a normal life, in a normal community; who also was the Son of God.

Here is the BAM part:  It was not an act.  He really was fully human.  He had and has a personality.  His life was not easy.  Do you think it was a performance when he wept over Lazarus or Jerusalem?  Do you think he cleared the temple that day to check off a prophecy fulfillment box?

Jesus is a real person.  He gives attention to the details.  He knows where things go.  He places people.  Jesus holds the whole universe, but he also pays attention to simple things.  He sees it all.  He cares, even about the small things.

Jesus shows us what God is like.  In Jesus, we see that God understands humanity.  God is very in touch with what we go through.  We know that God must know, because he is God and he created us, but in Jesus, we see the reality of God who cares, knows, and understands.

He cared enough to fold his face cloth after he saved us.  Do you think he cares about you and the details in your life?