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The Carpenter’s Cloth by Sigmund Brouwer (1997 Word Publishing)

            During Jesus’ time, there was one way a carpenter let the contractor know a job was finished. A signature, so to speak.

            Imagine a hot afternoon in Galilee. Jesus has completed the final pieces of a job has worked on for several days. The hair of his strong forearms is matted with sawdust and sweat. His face is shiny with heat. He takes a final and welcome drink of cool water from a leather bag.

            Then standing to the side of his work, he pours water over his face and chest, splashing it over his arms to clean himself before his journey home. With a nearby towel he pats his face and arms dry.

            Finally, Jesus folds the towel neatly in half and then folds it in half again. He sets in on the finished work and walks away. Later, whoever arrives to inspect the work will see the towel and understand its simple message. The work is finished.

            Christ’s disciples knew the tradition. Sunday of sorrow, three years after Jesus had set aside his carpenter’s tools, Peter will crouch to look into an empty tomb and see only the linens that the risen LORD has left behind.

            A smile will cross Peter’s face as his sorrow is replaced by hope, for he will see the wrap that covered Jesus’ face. It has been folded in half and half again.

           

            Peter understands the carpenter has left behind a simple message.

                        IT IS FINISHED!

 Submitted by Linda Amado

"I get so distracted by some people's reactions that I don't see my own faults for what they are. At times it's so self destructive, with no intent or motive, but behind this emotion, there lies a sensible heart..."