The Torn Curtain

10 Days to the Cross:  Day Three

As Jesus was dying, the gospels tell us that there were strange and unusual things happening in Jerusalem.  From noon until 3:00 pm, the area was plunged into darkness.  Luke says that "the sun stopped shining."  Matthew records that in the moment that Jesus died, around 3:00 pm, that there was a tremendous earthquake that caused rocks to split open and tombs around the city to become unsealed.  The earthquake, or really the spiritual forces unleashed at the time of Jesus' death, were so powerful that there was a mass resurrection of godly people who had been dead.  Matthew 27:53 - They came out of the tombs, and after Jesus' resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many people.  The earthquake and loss of light were enough to convince the Roman officer and his battle hardened soldiers that something supernatural was happening. 

At the time of the earthquake, something else took place in Jerusalem at the Temple.  The Temple was the center of Jewish worship.  In the inner most part of the temple was a room called the Holy of Holies.  The ark of the covenant was kept in this room and the room was sealed off from the rest of the building by a thick curtain.  Only the high priest could enter the room, and only once a year, on the Day of Atonement.  On that day he would sprinkle the blood of a sacrifice on the "mercy seat" of the ark, making atonement for the sin of the people.  The Holy of Holies was the place where God's presence dwelt on earth.

In the moment that the final breath left Jesus' body, the curtain that separated the Holy of Holies from the rest of the building was torn in two.  The Holy place was opened.  God was sending us a message that because of Jesus, the way into his presence was now open for us.  No longer was their a need to satisfy the debt of our sin.  Jesus had paid the final bill.  Because of Him, now nothing can stand in the way of our being reconciled to God.

Hebrews 10:19-23
19 Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.

While the curtain in the temple was torn open and Jesus made the way for us to draw near to God, I've found that over the years, people erect all sorts of "curtains" between themselves and God in their own minds.  We allow shame, unforgiveness, fear, feelings of inadequacy and all sorts of things to keep us from approaching God.  As we go on this journey to the cross, don't let that be you.  Remember that because of what Jesus did, the way is open for you to know the God of the Universe.  Don't back off.  Instead, draw near to Him.