Odd Man Out

And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. And the earth shook, and the rocks were split. The tombs also were opened. And many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised, and coming out of the tombs after his resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many. When the centurion and those who were with him, keeping watch over Jesus, saw the earthquake and what took place, they were filled with awe and said, “Truly this was the Son of God!” (Matthew 27:51-54 ESV). I always hate “choosing up sides.” Inevitably someone must be chosen last, or worse being the last man chosen on an odd numbered team. I’ve seen that person become little more than a substitute who never gets to play. Thankfully, God doesn’t choose like that. Today’s reading helps us understand something about the grace and love of God that prompts his choice. There are many moments in history that were spectacular. I would like to be able to travel back in time and observe some of them. One of those would have to be when the veil of the temple was torn in two. In the inner court of the temple in Jerusalem, in the Holy of Holies, was the Ark of the Covenant. That was where the high priest would go once a year to offer atonement for the sins of the people. A veil, a very thick, woven curtain, separated the Holy of Holies from the rest of the temple. When Jesus died on the cross as a sacrifice for our sins, that heavy curtain was torn from top to bottom. It was not ripped from bottom to top, as though a man were ripping it. Instead, it was ripped from top to bottom, because God was ripping it. God was saying, "You are no longer the odd man out! My Son has made a way for you." This is what the writer of Hebrews saw when he wrote: Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. (Hebrews 10:19-22 ESV). The veil was torn. Jesus is now our Intercessor. We don't have to go through a person to reach God anymore. We don't have to go through rituals anymore. Instead, Jesus made a new and living way for us to reach God. Jesus paid it all. And that is so important to remember. Soon we will be looking at Passion Week. Start looking in earnest at the great gift of God in Christ today!