The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him today and what came to my heart and mind in John 20:3-7,
"So Peter and the other disciple [John] started for the tomb. Both were running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. He bent over and looked in at the strips of linen lying there but did not go in.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."
This is the scene when Peter and John ran to the tomb when Mary Magdalene reported to them Jesus' tomb had been opened, early that Sunday morning of Jesus' resurrection.
I can't help but notice that we are told twice that Peter and John found the linen strips that Jesus had been buried in were lying where he had been laid, and then (once) that the cloth that had been used to wrap Jesus' face was "lying in its place, separate from the linen."
I don't know about you, but when things get repeated in Scriptures, I take notice. Sometimes there is a reason we are told something repeatedly and specifically: we are supposed to take note! What is the significance of repeating the observation of the linen strips and the very specific notation that, "The cloth was still lying in its place, separate from the linen."? On the one hand it seems innocuous enough of a comment, but on the other, it seems to be a focus.
In John Gill's Exposition of the Bible, we read that the notation of the linen strips was to communicate that the body of Jesus had not been stolen, as surely, if there were thieves, they would not have taken the time to unwrap Jesus' body (which would have been extensive), "... and that is, that this head binder, or napkin, was not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itself: and was plainly the effect of thought, care, and composure; and clearly showed, that the body was not taken away in a hurry, or by thieves, since everything lay in such order and decency; and which was done, either by our Lord himself, or by the angels."
The Jamieson, Faussett, and Brown commentary has a lofty view of the noted linen cloth and face covering, "And the napkin, that was about his head, not lying with the linen clothes--not loosely, as if hastily thrown down, and indicative of a hurried and disorderly removal, but wrapped--folded, together in a place by itself--showing with what grand tranquillity 'the Living One' had walked forth from 'the dead' (Lu 24:5). 'Doubtless the two attendant angels (John 20:12) did this service for the Rising One, the one disposing of the linen clothes, the other of the napkin' [BENGEL].
"So Peter and the other disciple [John] started for the tomb. Both were running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. He bent over and looked in at the strips of linen lying there but did not go in.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."
This is the scene when Peter and John ran to the tomb when Mary Magdalene reported to them Jesus' tomb had been opened, early that Sunday morning of Jesus' resurrection.
I can't help but notice that we are told twice that Peter and John found the linen strips that Jesus had been buried in were lying where he had been laid, and then (once) that the cloth that had been used to wrap Jesus' face was "lying in its place, separate from the linen."
I don't know about you, but when things get repeated in Scriptures, I take notice. Sometimes there is a reason we are told something repeatedly and specifically: we are supposed to take note! What is the significance of repeating the observation of the linen strips and the very specific notation that, "The cloth was still lying in its place, separate from the linen."? On the one hand it seems innocuous enough of a comment, but on the other, it seems to be a focus.
In John Gill's Exposition of the Bible, we read that the notation of the linen strips was to communicate that the body of Jesus had not been stolen, as surely, if there were thieves, they would not have taken the time to unwrap Jesus' body (which would have been extensive), "... and that is, that this head binder, or napkin, was not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itself: and was plainly the effect of thought, care, and composure; and clearly showed, that the body was not taken away in a hurry, or by thieves, since everything lay in such order and decency; and which was done, either by our Lord himself, or by the angels."
The Jamieson, Faussett, and Brown commentary has a lofty view of the noted linen cloth and face covering, "And the napkin, that was about his head, not lying with the linen clothes--not loosely, as if hastily thrown down, and indicative of a hurried and disorderly removal, but wrapped--folded, together in a place by itself--showing with what grand tranquillity 'the Living One' had walked forth from 'the dead' (Lu 24:5). 'Doubtless the two attendant angels (John 20:12) did this service for the Rising One, the one disposing of the linen clothes, the other of the napkin' [BENGEL].
What do you think the significance of the repeated observation is? Or, do you not see any significance?
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.
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