“And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up his spirit. And behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth shook and the rocks were split.”
– Matthew 27:50-51 NASB
When the Israelites were wandering in the wilderness, God commanded Moses to make an ark, or a large box, to contain The Ten Commandments. Two gold angels adorned the top of the ark, which was known as the Ark of the Covenant. God promised the people of Israel that He would be with them and the ark symbolized God’s physical presence among them.
As the Israelites wandered through the desert and then conquered the Promised Land, the Ark went with them. The Philistines stole the Ark, but returned it because of the misfortune that followed them while it was in their possession.
Years later, King Solomon built the temple in Jerusalem and gave the Ark a permanent home. Deep inside the temple was a place known as The Holy of Holies where the presence of God dwelled. Only the high priests were allowed inside just once a year. The Holy of Holies was enclosed by a very tall thick curtain, also known as the veil. Bible scholars estimate it was about 45 feet tall and four inches thick.
It was customary for the priests to tie a rope around their waist in case they fainted or died while inside this most holy place so someone who wasn’t allowed within the veil could pull them out.
Why am I telling you all this?
Because at the moment Jesus died, the veil of the temple was torn from top to bottom. This was no accident or coincidence! God intentionally removed this barrier between the people and Himself because of Jesus. No person could have split the veil, it was God Himself.
Although Jesus’ death was an ending, God immediately gave His people a physical representation of a new beginning. The old way had finished, the new had come. All because of Jesus. Thank you, Lord!
This Good Friday, let’s remember the great love of our Savior and the intentionality of our Father who removed the barriers between us!
I hope you have a wonderful Easter weekend celebrating the Resurrection of our Savior and the life we have in Him!
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