The resurrection story is one of conquering! Jesus conquered death. Before He ascended, He had to shed His grave clothes first. This is an often overlooked part of this beautiful story.
Grave clothes were used to wrap the expired body before placing it in a tomb. Strips of linen cloth were used to bind the body along with assorted spices and oils for preservation. These strips of cloth were bound tightly.
On the day of Jesus’ resurrection, it was discovered that the tomb was empty except for the burial cloths that once bound Him. What was significant was the fabric was lying precisely as if Jesus simply rose up out of it. Here is what we find in John 20:307:
“3So Peter and the other disciple started for the tomb. 4 Both were running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. 5 He bent over and looked in at the strips of linen lying there but did not go in. 6 Then Simon Peter came along behind him and went straight into the tomb. He saw the strips of linen lying there, 7 as well as the cloth that had been wrapped around Jesus’ head. The cloth was still lying in its place, separate from the linen.”
Jesus shed His grave clothes. What a beautiful representation that through our belief in Him, we too shed our grave clothes of sin. When we accept Him as our Lord and Savior, our filthy rags of sin no longer bind us to this former life.
Jesus entered the world and was wrapped in swaddling cloth. He exited wrapped in cloth as well. Both materials served to protect and preserve.
As you celebrate this Easter, remember that you have been freed from the grave. Jesus’ resurrection points to our new life, our freedom from the bondage of sin, and from the hold of satan. We are free, indeed!
Have you accepted Christ? If not, bow before Him in humbleness and ask Him to forgive you and that you accept Him as your Lord and your Savior! Amen!