At the precise moment Jesus died we are told that the “veil of the Temple was torn in two from top to bottom.”

What is the significance of this?

The veil referred to is the one which separated the Holy Place from the Holy of Holies in the Jewish Temple. (It was 18 metres high and 9 metres wide!) The only person who could enter the Holy of Holies was the High Priest and he was only permitted to do so once a year. On the Day of Atonement, the High Priest would pass behind the veil into the Holy of Holies – into the Presence of God – with the blood of the sacrifice, and secure forgiveness for the sins of Israel.

The veil which separated off the Holy of Holies from the people was a constant reminder to them that they could not come into the Presence of God freely or on their own. They needed a priest and the blood of a sacrifice. The veil was a constant reminder of the barrier that existed between God and man because of sin.

The tearing of the veil into two pieces at the moment of Jesus’ death signifies an amazing new beginning in God’s dealings with us:

• We no longer need a human High Priest to enter into God’s Presence for us. Jesus is our great High Priest, and we “enter inside the veil” to God through Him! (Hebrews 6:19-20)
• The way to God is freely available to everyone through “the blood of Jesus”. No other sacrifice is required! (Hebrews 10:19)
• The initiative for this was taken by God. The “veil was torn in two from top to bottom” signifying it was God Who tore down the barrier between Himself and us through the death of Jesus.

The barrier between us and God has been ripped apart forever. As Max Lucado once described it:

“The curtain is down, the door is open, and God invites you in.”

Why don’t you accept His invitation today?

Today’s Bible reading: Mark 15:29-32