Bible Reading: Leviticus 18-19; Matthew 27:32-66
“And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent;” – Mathew 27:51
The first events in our text, the rending of the veil of the Temple in two pieces from the top to the bottom is talking about the same curtain that separated the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place, as described for us in Exodus 26:31-33. It was of white fabric, into which was woven a most beautiful and intricate picture of the cherubim in blue, purple and scarlet thread. The very presence of the curtain, together with the image woven on it, symbolised the unapproachableness of God’s Most Holy Place.
The tearing of the veil of the Temple was a sign that the old order had come to an end. In Christ, all the ritual connected with the sacrificial system, and particularly with the all-important annual Day of Atonement, was rendered no longer functional. Christ had made an end of all ritual as the way to approach God. This is the whole teaching of the Epistle to the Hebrews: “Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.” Hebrews 9:12 KJV.
Jesus Christ has fulfilled the office of High Priest in entering into the presence of God to make atonement for the sins of his people; but what he has done within the Holy Place has rendered every subsequent sacrifice unnecessary and void. This is the meaning of Paul’s great phrase in Romans 10:4, where he says that ‘Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone that believeth.’ He is the end of the law because he has fulfilled its demands and nullified its ceremonial and cultic rituals. He is the way; and the tearing of the veil shows that every other way but Christ’s is invalid.
But the most significant aspect of the tearing of the veil is that we have boldness to enter in to the place where God sits between the cherubim. There is a new and living way opened for us, and ours is the right to make use of it. “Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; And having an high priest over the house of God; Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.” Hebrews 10:19-22 (KJV)
The veil having been torn, and Christ having been set as High Priest over the house of God has given every believer access to God through the eternal sacrifice. The exhortation to us is ‘Let us draw near’ to gain access into the righteousness of God in Christ.
Prayer: Father thank you for sending your Son, Jesus Christ to grant us access into your presence.
Pastor Alfred Samuel