Look For The Folded Napkin

“Then Simon Peter came along behind him and went straight into the tomb. He saw the strips of linen lying there, as well as the cloth that had been wrapped around Jesus’ head. The cloth was still lying in its place, separate from the linen.” - John 20:6-7 
 
I want to bring some significance to a part of Jesus' comeback story that is often overlooked. We can see this in John 20:6-7 when it says,

“Then Simon Peter came along behind him and went straight into the tomb. He saw the strips of linen lying there, as well as the cloth that had been wrapped around Jesus’ head. The cloth was still lying in its place, separate from the linen.”
 
If you read this too fast, it is easy to miss the magnitude of this scripture. It says they notice the linen wrappings that covered him lying there, but they also see something else. They see that the cloth that covered Jesus’ head was not lying with the other linen, but it was rolled up, or in the Greek, it was folded and placed over in a corner by itself.

In antiquity, there were two things you could do with a napkin when you finished eating. You could just ball it up and throw it down when you are done, or if you want to be excused for a moment and you are planning to come back, you would fold the napkin, place it on the table, excuse yourself, and then return.
 
So, the folded napkin in the tomb was a clue left at the scene by Jesus to signify, “I’m coming back.” He was telling them this was a phase. It was temporary. It was not final. It may have looked like it was, but it wasn’t.

As you seek your breakthrough, as you look to come back from what has held you down for so long, I want you to know that your story isn’t over and your situation isn’t final.  

Jesus left a sign of hope for the disciples that day, and He will leave signs of hope for you, too. He is with you. Your situation isn’t final. The pain is temporary. Don’t stay down. God is leading you to the comeback you’ve been waiting for.
 
You just need to look for the folded napkin!