By Pastor Dave Holland
“And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. Jesus called out with a loud voice, ‘Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.’ When he had said this he breathed his last.”
Luke 23:45-46
I admit it, dead bodies give me the heebie—jeebies.
People rarely talk about death in our culture. It’s a taboo subject. Many think of death like a light bulb. After so many hours of use, it blows out. Over, finished.
Other people vaguely hope for a heavenly life without a basis for their opinions. Equipped with rainbows and lollipops, heaven is a place where they can run free with their dog without poop to clean up. It is amazing how many people live in this self-delusion.
Christians believe in living forever with the Lord in heaven. Eternal life that is based on faith in Christ’s death on the cross two thousand years ago. In our passage, Christ shows he had power over death, to the extent he could dismiss his spirit from his body. His subsequent resurrection became his ultimate declaration of his dominion over death. This dark moment reveals a detail that not only gives us insight into the eternal, but also an access point whereby we can enter God’s presence.
Tucked into the events surrounding Christ’s death is this odd phrase, “And the curtain of the Temple was torn in two.” This moment turns the page from the Old Testament to the New Testament. From condemnation to new life.
The veil in the Temple kept people out of the Holy Place to prevent them from violating God’s holiness and to prevent immediate judgement on their disobedience. Jesus breathed His last breath, died, and in that instant, He appeased the wrath of God against sin. Christ paid the penalty for our sin.
Why is this detail about the curtain in the Temple being torn mentioned concurrently with Christ’s death? Because it is the moment everything changed. Formerly, if a person were to see God, they would die immediately. But from the instant Jesus died, the veil ripped from top to bottom and the way opened to come into the presence of God. God granted believers access to his presence. We are now invited to know God as our Father, rather than fear him as our judge.
The historian Josephus describes the veil as made of “Babylonian tapestry,” scarlet and purple, clearly depicting royalty. Made with “marvelous skill,” the veil oozed rich symbolism. Portraying the elements of the universe, the embroidered veil displayed “a panorama of the heavens.” It resembled the starry night, likely the heavenly constellations.
The veil, a visible barrier, showed God’s holiness prevented access to Him. The atoning death of Jesus on the cross tore down the veil and opened the pathway to God. Jesus diffused God’s wrath—He’s not mad at you anymore! We can enter boldly into His holy presence and know him. Forever.
Thanks be to Jesus, He forgave our sin. We are reborn, at peace with God, washed clean and invited to know Him openly.
The author of Hebrews expounds on this, “we have confidence to enter the holy places,” because of the blood of Jesus. This access is the “new and living way” that Christ opened for us through the veil, which is through his flesh. The breaking of Christ’s body at the crucifixion is the unprecedented means by which believers have access to God. Therefore, all believers can draw near to God.
God tore the veil, and the way is open—come on in!
Dave Holland pastored churches for 38 years before retiring in Destin. This devotional is from his book, “Extraordinary Jesus.” You can get a copy of his books from his website, DaveHolland.org, or at Amazon.com. Pastor Dave is available to preach and teach at churches and conferences. Contact him at DavidvHolland54@gmail.com.
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