THE MESSAGE IN THE GRAVECLOTHES

John 20:1-10

Now, there are many aspects of the resurrection that we could consider this morning. All of them are important and are a blessing and an encouragement to the children of God. But this morning, I want to look at the message that is contained in the graveclothes left in that tomb by Jesus. I want us to see today that Jesus left His graveclothes behind for a reason. He left them behind so that they could preach a message to all those who saw them early on that Sunday morning. It is that precious message that I would like for us to try and grasp today. Let’s look into these wonderful verses and experience The Message In The Graveclothes.

IT IS A PEACEFUL MESSAGE

A. After Jesus died on the cross, Joseph of Arimathaea and Nicodemus took the body of Jesus and prepared it for burial and placed it in a new tomb that belonged to Joseph,After they placed His body in the tomb, the Jewish leaders asked Pontius Pilate to seal the tomb and place a detachment of Roman soldiers at the tomb to prevent the Disciples from stealing the body,

Now, when Mary finds the tomb in this condition, she runs to tell the Disciples and Peter and John race to the tomb. Surely Mary went to the wrong tomb. Surely, there must be some mistake! Yet, when they arrive at the scene, it is the right tomb.

IT IS A POWERFUL MESSAGE

B. That empty cocoon of graveclothes preached a powerful message early that Sunday morning. It told a vivid story of a risen Savior. Those garments lying there in that fashion proclaimed to the world that everything Jesus Christ had claimed, everything He had preached, everything He had promised was true!

Just three days before, the Disciples had watched their Lord be arrested, tried, convicted and crucified. Now, they had tangible proof that Jesus was alive and well!

It is a powerful message because it tells us that the Father accepted the death of Jesus on the cross as the payment for the sin debt of man

IT IS A PROMISING MESSAGE

C. John calls our attention to the fact that the napkin that was used to cover His blessed face in death was folded neatly and laid to one side. There is a message in this action that we do not want to miss.

The oriental custom of the napkin. When a man with servants was eating a meal, he would often use his napkin to signal them during the course of the meal. If he left the table and wadded his napkin up, it meant that he was finished and would not be back. If, however, he neatly folded the napkin, it told his servants that he was stepping away for a moment, but he would be back! Jesus was telling His disciples, “I may be out of your sight right now, but I’ll be right back!”

Now, this morning, you and I are among those who accept the Gospel message of the resurrection by simple faith. We did not see Jesus live. We did not see Him die and we did not see the tomb. However, that folded napkin is still preaching today. It is reminding each of us this morning that even though we do not see Him right now, He’s coming right back and we’ll see Him then, Rev. 22:20

I dare say that no other suit of graveclothes in history has preached such a glorious, timeless message as did the graveclothes of Jesus. I am thankful that He lives this morning and that He left perfect, indisputable evidence in His tomb that He lives! Is His resurrection real in your heart this morning?