6 Comments:

1. Erudite Redneck said...
   March 24, 2008 at 4:42 PM  
   It was a what me might today call a doo-rag. Or, do-rag. A sweat towel.
   
   Not part of his burial clothes, perhaps, because it ... wasn't part of that ensemble?
   Marshal Art said...
   March 24, 2008 at 5:27 PM  
   Something to do while the stone was being rolled away? Truly, I have no idea but it does beg the question.
   Erudite Redneck said...
   March 24, 2008 at 7:46 PM  
   It might suggest that he removed the towel himself and set it aside. If someone had come in to spirit the body away (so to speak), they probably would have left it askew.
   
   (Just wildly speculatin' here.)
   
   Of course, this bein; the Gospel of John, the writer probably intended to get across something very profound that could very well be lost on readers today.
   Marshal Art said...
   March 24, 2008 at 11:53 PM  
   I think your speculation is a good one, ER. I didn't think of that one. I'm wondering if Eric's got something up his sleeve and is waiting to hear the feedback first. What d'ya say, Eric?
   Eric said...
   March 25, 2008 at 9:49 AM  
   Firstly, yes, it suggests that Jesus Himself got up and had presence of mind to undress himself. If the napkin had been found where the rest were it might suggest someone took His body, or that it was not a true physical resurrection; that his body just vanished and He reappeared so He could tell Mary not to touch Him.
   
   Secondly, and more importantly, in the Old Testament the High Priest of Israel wore special garments that identified him with the people he represented and simultaneously identified Him with God. In can be said that Jesus also, as our High Priest, wore a garment that identified Him to the people He represented and to His Father, God.
   
   After the sacrifice was done; the blood sprinkled upon the mercy seat, the High Priest removed his garments and exited the Holy of Holies.
   
   It's a picture of Christ's finished work as High Priest.
   
   He rose, set aside His garments, and as Mary approached and realized who He was, she rushed toward Him, but He said, 'don't touch me. I haven't yet ascended to my father' ...to sprinkle His blood upon the mercy seat before the throne of God, thereby satisfying the judgment of sin once and for all.
   
   Later that evening He appeared to 10 of His disciples and they were able to touch his hands, and satisfy themselves that He was no ghost, but real flesh and bone. That He had truly risen.
   Erudite Redneck said...
   March 25, 2008 at 9:23 PM  
   Asa I said, this being in the Gospel of John, it lends itself to a very complex explanation. :-)
   
   Not meaning to rib ya, although it might seem that way. Seriously. But do you see how the man, Jesus, of Nazareth, gets railroaded when anyone talks of Jesus and Christ as if they were the exact same concept? Jesus is closer to Jesus in Mark, and closer to Christ in John. The concept of who he was clearly had advanced over a couple of generations -- and that's fine with me, as long we ...
   
   Oh, LOL. Never mind! I just realized I was several steps down a pathway that leads to misunderstanding, anger and rancor, and I'm tryin' to quit that.
   
   So, let me just say: I see what yer saying. :-)
   
   Oh, but I *have* to say that yer deliberate use of the antiquated word "napkin" is quaint. :-)

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