The Truth As
Far As I Can Tell…
Mark 15:37-39 – Then
Jesus uttered another loud cry and breathed his last. And the curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was
torn in two, from top to bottom. When
the Roman officer who stood facing him saw how he had died, he exclaimed, “This
man truly was the Son of God
Can you imagine being a Jewish priest
in the Temple on the day Jesus died on the cross? I think it would make an interesting story
told from their perspective. One day,
you’re tending the Holy Temple and the curtain separating the Holiest Place in
the Temple—the place that was supposed to be the earthly dwelling place of God’s
presence—is torn in two, from top to bottom.
The curtain (also called a veil) symbolized how people were separated from
God by sin. Only the High Priest was
allowed to pass beyond the veil, and only once a year on the Day of Atonement
to make a sacrifice for humanity’s sin.
Can you imagine being a priest in the Temple and seeing that sacred parament
mysteriously torn completely in two before your eyes?
The significance is this. Sin no longer has to separate us from God. Jesus was the perfect Lamb of God and his
sacrifice on the cross atoned completely for our sins. Before Jesus, no one could go fully into the
presence of God; only the high priest, once a year after very carefully spiritual
preparation, could go in to make a sacrifice and beg God for mercy and
forgiveness. But then Jesus died on the
cross and paid the price for our sins in full!
Now, there is absolutely no need for a curtain to separate us anymore!
Everything has changed. Gone are the days of spiritual elitism where
only a select few are allowed access to God.
Everyone can come to Him now. In fact,
the Bible says everyone who trusts and follows Jesus is a holy priest. We don’t have to tip toe around God, fearful
that He may strike us dead for the least transgression. Now, grace abounds and we can relate to God
as Jesus did—as children with a gracious and loving father.
There is power in the blood of
Christ to forgive all our sins. His Holy
Spirit no longer resides in a temple behind a current. Now His Spirit resides in us! We are His Holy Temple and He empowers us to
live holy lives where we love God and love our neighbor. Isn’t that amazing? I think it is and I think it changes everything!
Of course, I’m no expert and I certainly
don’t claim to know everything, but that’s the Truth as far as I can tell…
Remember, God loves you and
so do I!
