C. BOSTIAN THE NEATLY FOLDED NAPKIN 4/16/06
* John 19:38-20:10 (MsgB)
After all this, Joseph of Arimathea (he was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly, because he was intimidated by the Jews) petitioned Pilate to take the body of Jesus. Pilate gave permission. So Joseph came and took the body. [39] Nicodemus, who had first come to Jesus at night, came now in broad daylight carrying a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds. [40] They took Jesus' body and, following the Jewish burial custom, wrapped it in linen with the spices. * [41] There was a garden near the place he was crucified, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been placed. [42] So, because it was Sabbath preparation for the Jews and the tomb was convenient, they placed Jesus in it. [20:1] Early in the morning on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and saw that the stone was moved away from the entrance. [2] She ran at once to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, * breathlessly panting, "They took the Master from the tomb. We don't know where they've put him." [3] Peter and the other disciple left immediately for the tomb. [4] They ran, neck and neck. The other disciple got to the tomb first, outrunning Peter. [5] Stooping to look in, he saw the pieces of linen cloth lying there, but he didn't go in. [6] Simon Peter arrived after him, entered the tomb, observed the linen cloths lying there, * [7] and the napkin that used to cover his head not lying with the linen cloths but separate was neatly folded by itself. [8] Then the other disciple, the one who had gotten there first, went into the tomb, took one look at the evidence, and believed. [9] No one yet knew from the Scripture that he had to rise from the dead. [10] The disciples then went back home.
GOOD MORNING AND HAPPY EASTER. THIS DAY MARKS THE BEGINNING OF A NEW DAY FOR HUMANITY. JESUS TOOK OUR PLACE ON THE CROSS AND DID FOR US WHAT WE COULD NOT DO FOR OURSELVES. HE PAID THE PENALTY FOR OUR SIN AND DIED AS OUR SUBSTITUTE. THE DIVINE PENALTY FOR SIN IS DEATH AND THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS IS PROOF THAT JESUS DID NOT DIE FOR HIS OWN SIN BUT FOR THE SINS OF HUMANITY.
* 1 Cor. 15:3-7 (KJV)
For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; [4] And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: [5] And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: [6] After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. [7] After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles.
* Acts 10:39-43 (KJV)
And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree: [40] Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly; [41] Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead. [42] And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead. [43] To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.
I AM NOT HERE THIS MORNING TO PROVE THE RESURRECTION BUT TO REJOICE IN IT AS A FACT OF HISTORY. HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE HAVE SEEN AND TOUCHED JESUS AFTER HIS DEATH AND BEFORE HIS ASCENSION. * THE WITNESSES HAVE MADE THEIR STATEMENTS AND THE EVIDENCE HAS ACCUMULATED THAT RESULTS IN THE OVERWHELMING TRUTH THAT JESUS DID, IN FACT, RISE FROM THE DEAD AFTER THREE DAYS. WE ARE HERE THIS EASTER MORNING TO CELEBRATE THE FACT OF THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST AND TO LEARN SOME THINGS ABOUT IT THAT WILL STRENGTHEN OUR FAITH.
* Romans 15:4 (KJV)
For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.
1 Cor. 15:4 (KJV)
And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
IN ACTS 10:43 WE ARE TOLD THAT GOD GAVE ALL THE PROPHETS IN THE OLD TESTAMENT A WITNESS CONCERNING THE LIFE, DEATH AND RESURRECTION OF JESUS. WE CAN SEE THAT IN THEIR WRTITINGS IN THE OLD TESTAMENT. I WANT TO LOOK AT A FEW OF THOSE PASSAGES THIS MORNING IN WHAT IS DESCRIBED IN THEOLOGICAL TERMS AS TYPES AND SHADOWS. * A TYPE OR SHADOW IS REALLY LIKE A ROAD SIGN THAT POINTS US IN A CERTAIN DIRECTION. EVEN JESUS USED LITTLE STORIES CALLED PARABLES TO TEACH US SPIRITUAL LESSONS. THESE TYPES AND SHADOWS ARE PHYSICAL EVENTS THAT HAD A SPIRITUAL APPLICATION BEHIND THEM AND POINT US TO JESUS. SO LET’S LOOK AT A FEW OF THESE TYPES AND SHADOWS THAT FORETELL US OF THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST. THE FIRST IS FOUND IN:
* Genesis 8:4-5 (KJV)
And the ark rested in the seventh month, on the seventeenth day of the month, upon the mountains of Ararat. [5] And the waters decreased continually until the tenth month: in the tenth month, on the first day of the month, were the tops of the mountains seen.
* NOAH’S ARK PASSING THROUGH THE WATERS OF THE FLOOD WAS A TYPE OF CHRIST’S DEATH. THE RESTING OF THE ARK ON MT. ARARAT AND NOAH STEPPING FORTH ONTO THE NEW EARTH PREFIGURES RESURRECTION LIFE. * NOW IT IS REMARKABLE THAT THE DATE IS GIVEN ON WHICH THE ARK RESTED UPON THE MOUNTAINS OF ARARAT AND THAT DATE COINCIDES WITH THE MORNING OF THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST. WAS THIS AN ACCIDENT OR A MERE COINCIDENCE OR WAS IT NOT AN INDICATION THAT THE VERY DAY WAS KNOWN TO GOD ON WHICH HE WOULD SAY, “ THOU ART MY SON, THIS DAY I HAVE BEGOTTEN THEE.” WE ARE TOLD THAT THE ARK RESTED ON THE SEVENTEENTH DAY OF THE SEVENTH MONTH. THE 7TH MONTH WAS THE MONTH OF ABIB BUT FROM THE TIME OF THE FIRST PASSOVER IT BECAME THE BEGINNING OF MONTHS AND THE FIRST MONTH OF THE YEAR IN ISRAEL.
* Exodus 12:2-7 (KJV)
This month shall be unto you the beginning of months: it shall be the first month of the year to you. [3] Speak ye unto all the congregation of Israel, saying, In the tenth day of this month they shall take to them every man a lamb, according to the house of their fathers, a lamb for an house: [4] And if the household be too little for the lamb, let him and his neighbour next unto his house take it according to the number of the souls; every man according to his eating shall make your count for the lamb. * [5] Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year: ye shall take it out from the sheep, or from the goats: [6] And ye shall keep it up until the fourteenth day of the same month: and the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it in the evening. [7] And they shall take of the blood, and strike it on the two side posts and on the upper door post of the houses, wherein they shall eat it.
THE PASCHAL LAMB WAS KILLED ON THE 14TH DAY OF THAT MONTH AND THE THIRD DAY AFTER THIS WAS THE 17TH AND THAT IS THE VERY DAY THE ARK RESTED ON MT. ARARAT. AND SO, THE RESTING OF THE ARK ON MT. ARARAT IS THE FIRST TYPE AND SHADOW OF THE RESURRECTION IN THE OLD TESTAMENT. NOW LET’S LOOK AT ANOTHER ONE FOUND IN:
* Numbers 17:1-5 (KJV)
And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, [2] Speak unto the children of Israel, and take of every one of them a rod according to the house of their fathers, of all their princes according to the house of their fathers twelve rods: write thou every man's name upon his rod. [3] And thou shalt write Aaron's name upon the rod of Levi: for one rod shall be for the head of the house of their fathers. * [4] And thou shalt lay them up in the tabernacle of the congregation before the testimony, where I will meet with you. [5] And it shall come to pass, that the man's rod, whom I shall choose, shall blossom: and I will make to cease from me the murmurings of the children of Israel, whereby they murmur against you.
* HERE IN NUMBERS WE HAVE A BEAUTIFUL TYPE OF THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS IN THE BUDDING OF AARON’S ROD. THE 12 RODS WERE ALL LAID UP BEFORE THE LORD AND ALL WERE EQUALLY DEAD. THERE WAS ABSOLUTELY NO SIGN OF LIFE IN THEM. WHEN THE MORNING CAME A WONDERFUL MIRACLE HAD TAKEN PLACE, THE ROD OF AARON HAD BECOME FULL OF LIFE: BUDS, BLOSOMS AND FRUIT HAD ALL APPEARED. NO EYE HAD SEEN THE CHANGE TAKE PLACE BUT WHEN MOSES CAME IN THE NEXT MORNING THERE WAS ABUNDANT EVIDENCE OF LIFE WHICH REMINDS US OF THAT FIRST EASTER MORNING WHEN THE WOMEN CAME TO THE SEPULCHRE AT THE RISING OF THE SUN AND FOUND THAT HE WHOM THEY SOUGHT WAS NOT DEAD BUT WAS RISEN. THE BUDDING AND BLOSOMING ROD WAS NEXT SHOWN TO THE PEOPLE SO THAT THE MURMRRING WOULD STOP. THIS MIRACLE WAS ATTESTED BY MANY WITNESSES AND SO WE READ IN ACTS THAT OUR RISEN LORD SHOWED HIMSELF ALIVE AFTER HIS PASSION, BY MANY INFALLIBLE PROOFS. HIM, GOD HAD RAISED FROM THE 3RD DAY AND SHOWED HIM OPENLY, NOT TO ALL THE PEOPLE BUT UNTO WITNESSES CHOSEN BEFORE OF GOD. THE BUDDING OF AARON’S ROD WAS AN O.T. TYPE OR SHADOW OF THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS.
* Joshua 4:1-3 (KJV)
And it came to pass, when all the people were clean passed over Jordan, that the Lord spake unto Joshua, saying, [2] Take you twelve men out of the people, out of every tribe a man, [3] And command ye them, saying, Take you hence out of the midst of Jordan, out of the place where the priests' feet stood firm, twelve stones, and ye shall carry them over with you, and leave them in the lodging place, where ye shall lodge this night.
HERE IS ANOTHER TYPE OF THE RESURRECTION IN THE O.T. THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL PASSING THROUGH THE JORDAN WAS A TYPE OF THEIR IDENTIFICATION WITH DEATH TO THEIR OLD WAY OF LIFE. THEY WERE NOW TO ENTER A NEW LIFE IN A NEW PROMISED LAND. * AS THE PRIESTS LED THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL OVER THE JORDAN RIVER THEY EACH STOOD ON 12 STONES. WHEN THE LAST ISRAELITE PASSED OVER THE LORD COMMANDED THEM TO TAKE UP THE 12 STONES AND CARRY THEM INTO THE PROMISED LAND AND MAKE A MEMORIAL OUT OF THEM. THE TAKING UP OF THESE 12 STONES AND THE PASSING OF ISRAEL THROUGH THE JORDAN IS A TYPE OF BAPTISM AND RESURRECTION FOR THE NATION OF ISRAEL AND FORTELLS OF THE DEATH AND RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST.
* Leviticus 14:1-4 (KJV)
And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, [2] This shall be the law of the leper in the day of his cleansing: He shall be brought unto the priest: [3] And the priest shall go forth out of the camp; and the priest shall look, and, behold, if the plague of leprosy be healed in the leper; [4] Then shall the priest command to take for him that is to be cleansed two birds alive and clean, and cedar wood, and scarlet, and hyssop:
ANOTHER O.T. TYPE OF THE RESURRECTION IS BEAUTIFULLY PORTRAYED IN THE CERIMONIAL CLEANSING OF THE LEPER. LEPROSY IN THE SCRIPTURE WAS AN INCURABLE DISEASE AND WAS A TYPE OF SIN WHICH IS ALSO AN INCURABLE SPIRITUAL DISEASE OF MANKIND. IN THIS CERIMONY TWO CLEAN BIRDS WERE PRESENTED ALIVE BEFORE THE PRIEST AND PRESENTED FOR THE MAN WHOSE LEPROSY WAS HEALED. ONE BIRD WAS KILLED IN AN EARTHEN VESSEL OVER RUNNING WATER AND * THE LIVE BIRD WAS TO BE DIPPED IN ITS BLOOD AND LET LOOSE INTO AN OPEN FIELD. THE SHED BLOOD OF THE FIRST BIRD SPEAKS TO US OF THE BLOOD OF CHRIST AT CALVARY. THE SECOND BIRD SPEAKS TO US OF THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST WHO IS AS THE SCRIPTURE SAYS IS, “ GONE INTO HEAVEN AND IS ON THE RIGHT HAND OF GOD.” THE BIRD FLEW AWAY HEAVENWARD WITH BLOOD ON ITS WINGS; AND THE LORD BY HIS OWN BLOOD ENTERED INTO THE HOLY PLACE HAVING OBTAINED ETERNAL REDEMPTION FOR US.”
* Hebrews 4:14-15 (KJV)
Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. [15] For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
* Hebrews 9:11-12 (KJV)
But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; [12] Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.
WHILE JESUS WAS ON EARTH HE HAD WHAT WAS KNOWN AS AN EARTHLY MINISTRY. NOW THAT JESUS HAS RISEN FORM THE DEAD HE HAS A HEAVENLY MINISTRY AS OUR GREAT HIGH PRIEST. THE HIGH PRIEST WAS THE ONLY PERSON IN THE O.T. THAT COULD GO INTO THE HOLY OF HOLIES WHERE GOD’S PRESENCE RESTED IN THE TABERNACLE. HE WENT IN ONCE A YEAR TO MAKE ATONEMENT FOR THE SINS OF THE PEOPLE. THIS IS YET ANOTHER O.T. TYPE OF THE RESURRECTION BECAUSE JESUS HAS ENTERED INTO HEAVEN WITH HIS OWN BLOOD AND IS SET DOWN AT THE RIGHT HAND OF GOD EVER LIVING TO MAKE INTERCESSION FOR US. JESUS IS NOT FINISHED WORKING YET: HE IS THE SAME YESTERDAY, TODAY AND FOREVER AND HAS BECOME THE ONLY MEDIATOR BETWEEN US AND GOD.
*1 Tim. 2:5 (KJV)
For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;
* NOW LET’S LOOK AT THE SIGNIFCANCE OF THE FOLDED NAPKIN AS IS RECORDED IN:
* Jn.20:5-7
[5] Stooping to look in, he saw the pieces of linen cloth lying there, but he didn't go in. [6] Simon Peter arrived after him, entered the tomb, observed the linen cloths lying there, [7] and the napkin that used to cover his head not lying with the linen cloths but separate was neatly folded by itself.
The Gospel of John tells us that the napkin, which was placed over the face of Jesus, was not just thrown aside like the grave clothes. The Bible takes an entire verse to tell us that the napkin was neatly folded, and was placed at the head of that stony coffin. Is that important? You’d better believe it! Is that significant? Absolutely! Is it VERY significant?
In order to understand the significance of the folded napkin, you have to
understand a little bit about THE Hebrew tradition of that day. The folded
napkin had to do wITH THE UUNIQUE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN A Master and HIS
Servant. every Jewish boy knew this tradition. When the servant set the dinner
table for the master, he made sure that it was exactly the way the master
wanted it. The table was furnished perfectly, and then the servant would wait,
just out of sight, until the master had finished eating, and the servant would
not dare touch that table, until the master was finished.
Now if the master were done eating, he would rise from the table, wipe his
fingers, his mouth, and clean his beard, and would wad up that napkin and toss
it onto the table. The servant would then know to clear the table. For in those
days, the wadded napkin meant, “I’m done”. But if the master got up from the
table, and folded his napkin, and laid it aside his plate, the servant would
not dare touch the table, because the servant knew that the folded napkin
meant, * “I’m not
finished yet.” The folded napkin meant, “I’m coming back!” i’m not finished
yet.
jesus’ earthly ministry was finished at calvary where the scriptures tells us that jesus cried out form the cross: it is finished and died. HE HAD FOREVER SECURED MAN’S EATERNAL REDEMPTION. HE WAS THE FINAL SACRIFICE FOR OUR SINS BUT THE FOLDED NAPKIN IS SIGNIFICANT BECAUSE HIS MINISTRY CONTINUES IN HEAVEN AND HE’S NOT FINISHED YET. HE IS STILL IN THE BUSINESS OF:
10. AND JESUS IS COMING BACK TO THE TABLE AGAIN TO
RECEIVE US INTO HIS EVERLASTING KINGDOM.
* HE’S NOT FINISHED YET, HE’S COMING AGAIN!
* 1 Thes. 4:14-18 (KJV)
For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which die in Jesus will God bring with him. [15] For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which have died. [16] For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: [17] Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: * and so shall we ever be with the Lord. [18] Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
1 Cor. 15:20-23 (KJV)
But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. [21] For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. [22] For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. [23] But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming.
WHEN JESUS NEATLY FOLDED HIS NAPKIN HE INDICATED THAT HE WASN’T FINISHED YET AND THAT HE WAS GOING TO RETURN. AFTER HE ASCENDED TO THE FATHER TWO ANGELS APPEARED TO THEM AND SAID HE WOULD COME AGAIN IN:
* Acts 1:9-11 (MsgB)
These were his last words. As they watched, he was taken up and disappeared in a cloud. [10] They stood there, staring into the empty sky. Suddenly two men appeared—in white robes! [11] They said, "You Galileans!—why do you just stand here looking up at an empty sky? This very Jesus who was taken up from among you to heaven will come as certainly—and mysteriously—as he left."
THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS IS DESCRIBED IN I COR. 15 AS A FIRSTFRUITS THUS INDICATING THAT THERE ARE MORE TO FOLLOW. THE FIRST IS FOLLOWED BY A SECOND AND A THIRD AND TO UNTOLD MILLIONS. HIS RESURRECTION GAURANTEES OURS AND THAT IS WHY THE AUTHOR TO THE BOOK OF HEBREWS CALLS HIM THE SURETY OF OUR SALVATION.
* 1 Cor. 15:23 (KJV)
But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming.
SINCE EVERY BELIEVER IN CHRIST IS DESTINED TO BE RAISED AGAIN AT THE END OF THE AGE WE MUST BE READY AND PREPARED TO MEET THE LORD. * THE WORD “ORDER” IN THIS VERSE IS THE GK WORD FOR MILITARY RANK. THERE WILL BE DIFFERENCES IN GLORY IN THE RESURRECTION. PAUL TELLS US IN I COR. 15 THAT THERE IS ONE GLORY OF THE STARS, ONE GLORY OF THE MOON AND ONE GLORY OF THE SUN. SO ALSO IS THE RESURRECTION. * THE DIFFERENCES ARE BASED ON THE CHANGES WE ALLOW GOD TO MAKE IN OUR LIVES IN CONFORMITY TO THE IMAGE OF CHRIST IN OUR CONDUCT AND BEHAVIOR. THE CHANGES CAN ONLY BE MADE ON THIS SIDE OF HEAVEN. SO AS THE APOSTLE PAUL SAID IN ROM.2 “THAT WE SHOULD NOT BECOME WEARY IN WELL DOING FOR WE SHALL REAP IF WE FAINT NOT AND THAT WE SHOULD SEEK FOR GLORY, HONOR, IMORTALITY AND ETERNAL LIFE.” BUT THE FACT REAMINS: JESUS IS COMING BACK AGAIN AND YOU ARE GAURANTEED A PLACE IN THE RESURRECTION.
* Titus 2:11-15 (KJV)
For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, [12] Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; [13] Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; [14] Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. [15] These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority.
THE AUTHOR TO THE BOOK OF HEBREWS TELLS US THAT WE ARE STRANGERS AND PILGIMS WHILE ON THIS EARTH. THIS EARTH IS NOT OUR PERMANENT DWELLING PLACE OR HOME. * BUT WE LOOK FOR A CITY WHOSE BUILDER AND MAKER IS GOD. WHILE HERE ON EARTH WE MUST PATIENTLY ENDURE AND CONTINUE TO OCCUPY UNTIL JESUS COMES AGAIN. JESUS USED THIS WORD OCCUPY WHICH MEANS TO CONTINUE TO DO THE WORK GOD HAS ASSIGNED US TO DO UNTIL JESUS COMES BACK TO THE TABLE. * THE FOLDED NAPKIN MEANS HE’S NOT FINISHED YET AND THAT HE’S COMING AGAIN! HALLELUJAH!
