Thoughts on the Resurrection

I thought I understood the resurrection. I can tell you that Christ was the first of many to be resurrected. I know that when we are resurrected that "not even a hair of our head shall not be lost." I thought I knew it.

Then came the last day of my New Testament class. If I get nothing out of college other than what I learned that day my college experience was worth it. I have loved my New Testament teacher, Sis. Olsen because of her insights and just great humor about everything. She has opened my eyes to things that I have heard and could recite verbatim, to things that have me awestruck.

Consider this scripture:
"Peter therefore went forth, and that other disciple, and came to the sepulchre.

So they ran both together: and the other disciple did outrun Peter, and came first to the sepulchre.

And he stooping down, and looking in, saw the linen clothes lying; yet went he not in.

Then cometh Simon Peter following him, and went into the sepulchre, and seeth the linen clothes lie,

And the napkin, that was about his head, not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itself."

I love this account of the apostle's reaction to learning of the empty tomb. This painting by Dan Burr I think is the best representation of this wonderful account as we see the emotions of these apostles beautifully portrayed in their faces. Can you imagine what was going through their heads? They knew the prophecies, they knew that the "temple" was to be rebuilt in three days, but could it be true? Did he really come back the way he said he would?

As they reach the tomb, John gazes in from outside as Peter throws himself into the formerly sealed tomb. John records something interesting. In the account he tells us about the linen cloths that are now lying where Jesus formerly lay. But what does the John tell us about the napkin that covered his head? He mentions that it is apart from the rest of the sheets and is folded together.

Now I know that mothers love to use this scripture to remind their kids to make their bed, sometimes even their sons in college, but I like to think there is more to this than just that. Who folded the napkin? It wasn't Mary, Peter, or John. It wasn't the soldiers, they high-tailed it out of there. I don't think it was the angel either. I would like to say that it was indeed Christ who folded it.

Can you imagine the emotion of that moment? Christ has been reunited with his body, the first of God's children to do so, and you can almost see the picture in your mind. Christ in the dark and sealed tomb, taking the time to fold the now useless napkin, alone to his thoughts. I can imagine the joy that he felt knowing that death had finally been defeated.

After his 40 day stay with the disciples the account finishes. As he leaves his apostles, they are found staring into the sky by two angels. One of them speaks to them and says,
"Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven."

I no longer profess to know all that there is about the resurrection. But this much I know as a surety, that I will be resurrected, and so will you.