Easter Thoughts - Pt. 2

 

And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and yielded up his spirit. 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 27:50-54 ESV).

 

Continuing in these Easter Thoughts, I want to draw your attention to the note Matthew makes as he says, And behold, the curtain of the Temple was torn in two, from top to bottom (v. 51). The veil, or curtain, that separated the holy place from the most holy was torn from top to bottom indicating that it was not accomplished by human hands. The access to the most holy place was restricted to the high priest, and he could enter only once a year. So, the rending of the veil at Jesus’ death, and the consequent exposure of the Holy Place, was the signal that the typical service had ended. We should also note that this occurred at the hour of the regular evening sacrifice, as the priest was about to slay the lamb of the daily burnt offering. The time was probably about three o’clock in the afternoon, or about the “ninth hour” according to Jewish timing. When Jesus died on the cross, He fulfilled all the temple services, the sacrifice of the “lamb” and the sprinkling of the blood upon the veil as an offering for sin. The Mosaic sacrifices were no longer necessary since THE Lamb of God had been offered “having forgiven you all trespasses, Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross” (Colossians 2:13,14).

 

At the moment Jesus died on the cross, our sins were paid for. That’s earth-shaking, rock-shattering news. We’re not guilty anymore. He took our guilt upon himself. Since we are no longer guilty, God doesn’t have to protect us from his holiness. We never need to think that some things are too good for us. We have complete and total access into the very presence of the Almighty King of the Ages! In fact, Jesus goes further and even says we now have a relationship with Him that allows us to call Him “Abba, Father.” We have nothing to fear; we are no longer separated from Him. The angelic guards with their flaming swords are no longer necessary. We have access!