It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon, for the sun stopped shining. 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 23:44-49 NIV)
Rip!
The temple curtain was torn in two. Do you recall how St. Mark described what
happened after Jesus' baptism? "Just as Jesus was coming up out of the
water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a
dove." (Mark 1:9) So what exactly is the significance of the temple
curtain being torn in two at Jesus' death?
I was taught, as a child, that it meant that we now all have direct access to God. We are free to directly communicate and relate with and to God. The High Priests are no longer needed to stand between us and God. In the Christian church on earth, it meant that regular lay people, not just the pastors and priests could approach the altar and even go beyond the altar rail without fear of God's wrath, at least not too much fear. As a child, I was taught that it was such a holy place that it was really best not for me, a young female with no business behind the altar to dare enter that area. That was just a little too much law because as Jesus died on the cross for all of us, he freed us from our sins so that we are worthy to come before God, even at the altar in a church building! That is good news, indeed!.
I was taught, as a child, that it meant that we now all have direct access to God. We are free to directly communicate and relate with and to God. The High Priests are no longer needed to stand between us and God. In the Christian church on earth, it meant that regular lay people, not just the pastors and priests could approach the altar and even go beyond the altar rail without fear of God's wrath, at least not too much fear. As a child, I was taught that it was such a holy place that it was really best not for me, a young female with no business behind the altar to dare enter that area. That was just a little too much law because as Jesus died on the cross for all of us, he freed us from our sins so that we are worthy to come before God, even at the altar in a church building! That is good news, indeed!.
But, let us rejoice for there is even more to that curtain being torn than that. When a door is opened it is open
to everything and everyone on both sides of the door. Behind the temple curtain
was the Holy of Holies; God's earthy dwelling place. Only the High Priests
could enter and have access to God. Just as when the heavens were opened and the Spirit of God descended upon Jesus; when the temple curtain was torn the Spirit of God rushed out upon the world. God's dwelling place on earth was no longer contained to a specific place. His
dwelling place; his Kingdom, rushed out into the world as Jesus breathed his very last breath.
The Kingdom of God has come near. It is truly at hand! (Mark 1:15) Live in it!
God's Peace - Pr. J
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