Mark 15:37-39
37 And Jesus cried out with a loud voice, and breathed His last. 38 Then the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. 39 So when the centurion, who stood opposite Him, saw that He cried out like this and breathed His last, he said, “Truly this Man was the Son of God!”
King Solomon had built the first temple and after Israel was raided and the temple destroyed Herod built the second temple. The temple had three chambers, the outer court, the Holy place and the Holy of Holies. It is said that Herod’s Temple was built to the dimensions of Solomon’s Temple.
Hebrews 9:2-8
2 For a tabernacle was prepared: the first part, in which was the lampstand, the table, and the showbread, which is called the sanctuary; 3 and behind the second veil, the part of the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of All, 4 which had the golden censer and the ark of the covenant overlaid on all sides with gold, in which were the golden pot that had the manna, Aaron’s rod that budded, and the tablets of the covenant; 5 and above it were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat. Of these things we cannot now speak in detail. 6 Now when these things had been thus prepared, the priests always went into the first part of the tabernacle, performing the services. 7 But into the second part the high priest went alone once a year, not without blood, which he offered for himself and for the people’s sins committed in ignorance; 8 the Holy Spirit indicating this, that the way into the Holiest of All was not yet made manifest while the first tabernacle was still standing.
The temple was the resting place of God in the physical world during the time of the Israelites sojourning on this earth. His dwelling place which was the Holy of Holies was separated from the rest of the temple by a massive curtain called the veil. The veil was said to be 60 feet high. The curtain separated a Holy God from sinful man. This curtain was the symbol of separation from the creator of the universe.
Adam and Eve created a veil when they turned away from a Holy God by sinning against God. From that time on a barrier was built between God and man. Man had no more one to one access to God except through chosen individuals through whom God will speak to man. Every year it was only the high priest that had access into the Holy of Holies where God presence dwelt behind the veil in a cloud.
However, 2000 years ago when God’s only begotten Son Jesus laid down His life at Calvary, He restored that relationship between God and Man. Our Saviour Jesus Christ had to die the most gruesome of death, so that man’s sin can be paid for. The Bible tells us that on the cross when He cried out and gave up the ghost, the veil was torn from top to bottom, to reveal the Holy of Holies. Which for years had been hidden from man’s view. No man could have torn the veil from top to bottom because the veil was about 60 feet in height and about 30 feet in width.
God supernaturally tore the veil giving access for man to approach Him. No longer was man to approach God through a priest or through the blood of bulls and goats, but through the broken body and she blood of Jesus Christ our Lord and saviour, man received access. Access has now been made for man to approach God without fear but with confidence.
Hebrews 4:14-16
14 Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
We now have access to approach God with boldness, because the veil has now been removed. That is what we celebrate at Easter. We don’t need to come to God through anyone except in the name of Jesus because of the price He paid for us. Why not approach God today with great confidence.
The veil is torn. Alleluia!
