We had an interesting sermon durning Sonrise service; apparently a folded towel was a sign among carpenters of Palestine to their clients that a project was completed. They would wipe their face and arms, then leave the sweaty cloth folded atop the finished work to indicate to the client that the job was finished and their labor complete. Our minister conjectured that, knowing that Jesus was a carpenter’s son and perhaps familiar with the tradition, this might have been a subtle reminder to His disciples that “it is finished”; e.g. that the Messiah’s work in the salvation of lost man that had taken so many thousands of years to set up was indeed finished once and for all with His resurrection.
Interesting. I’ve heard that it had to do with eating customs. If you have to leave the table, but are not yet finished, you would fold your napkin as a sign to not clear away your plates.
In other words, it can be interpreted as an “I’ll be back” gesture.
The opposite is true.
Servants were very aware of this custom in their master’s household.
The folded napkin meant that they had left the table but would be BACK to finish the meal.
The rumple napkin meant that they were finished eating!
In other words, Christ was telling everyone, including us, that He will be back!
Alleluia!