"And Jesus cried out with a loud voice and yielded up his spirit." (Matthew 27:50 ESV)
On that day, according to the Gospel of Matthew, another important event occurred. “And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom." (Matthew 27:51 ESV)
In those days there was a temple in Jerusalem, on the Temple Mount, in the place where the Dome of the Rock now stands. That temple had been constructed according to the pattern given by God in the Old Testament. There was an outer court where the altar was located. There was a Holy Place, which contained the altar of incense, the table of showbread, and the golden lampstand. And there was the Holy of Holies, where the Mercy Seat was, on the Ark of the Covenant.
The Holy Place was separated from the Holy of Holies by a heavy curtain. sometimes called a veil. This veil was more than twenty yards high and more than four inches thick. Only the High Priest could enter the Holy of Holies, and only once a year on the Day of Atonement.
But on Crucifixion Friday, that heavy curtain was torn in two, from top to bottom!
What's the significance of that?
"Through His own blood, [Jesus] entered the holy place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption." (Hebrews 9:12 NASB)
"Therefore we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through the veil, that is, His flesh." (Hebrews 10:19-20 NASB)
Because the veil was torn, because Jesus gave His life for us, we can now go directly into the Holy of Holies. We now have access, through Christ, directly to the Father! All because of what Jesus did for us!
Because it is true that the veil was torn, and because it is true that we can now confidently enter the holy place, and because of what Jesus accomplished for us, what are we to do?
We are to draw near: "Let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith." (Hebrews 10:22 NASB)
We are to hold fast: "Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful." (Hebrews 10:23 NASB)
We are to consider: "Let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds.” (Hebrews 10:24 NASB)
We are to encourage: "Encouraging one another." (Hebrews 10:25 NASB)
We are to assemble together: “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together….” (Hebrews 10:25 NASB)
The veil was torn.
It was torn from top to bottom. That means it was not torn by man, but by God.
The veil prevented men from access to the Holy of Holies, the symbol of the place where God dwelt.
The veil was torn, allowing access to the Holy of Holies. It was torn at the precise moment that Christ died on that cross.
Christ's death allows us access into the Holy of Holies! Christ's death allows us into relationship with God the Father through the blood of Christ the Son.
And that is a reason to celebrate! Not just on Good Friday or on Easter Sunday. But every day!
Because of Jesus, we can boldly approach the throne of God! Hallelujah!
The veil was torn.
It was torn from top to bottom. That means it was not torn by man, but by God.
The veil prevented men from access to the Holy of Holies, the symbol of the place where God dwelt.
The veil was torn, allowing access to the Holy of Holies. It was torn at the precise moment that Christ died on that cross.
Christ's death allows us access into the Holy of Holies! Christ's death allows us into relationship with God the Father through the blood of Christ the Son.
And that is a reason to celebrate! Not just on Good Friday or on Easter Sunday. But every day!
Because of Jesus, we can boldly approach the throne of God! Hallelujah!
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