"Then the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom." Mark 15:38
I've done enough sewing to know if you want to tear a piece of fabric, you don't pick the strongest place to try ripping. In fact you normally need a frayed edge or a snip from a pair of scissors in order to get anywhere. The way the temple veil was torn was not natural, it was supernatural.
The top of the veil would have been doubled over to form a casing and reinforced with some type of interfacing material in order to support the clasps of silver sockets and gold hooks (Exodus 26:31-33). In addition to that it was made of fine woven linen--not gauze. Only God could've torn the veil.
The veil was beautiful with woven cheribim and rich colors of blue, purple, and crimson (2Chronicles 3:14). It was holy. Only the top priest was allowed to pass through the curtain to the Most Holy Place of the temple. And he could only go into the Most Holy Place once a year on the Day of Atonement. Before that only Moses was allowed past the veil to talk with God.
So why did God tear the veil in two on Good Friday over two thousand years ago? And why should it matter today to those of us who have suffered abuse?
Right after Jesus Christ died on the cross, God removed the barrier to the innermost court in the Jewish temple. The ripped curtain testified to the Jews that His Son's death had accomplished its purpose. It was like a Vacancy sign on a hotel--an open invitation. The price for sin was paid and accepted that we might boldly approach God without fear.
When you feel helpless, remember that God is on your side. He is unlike your abuser. He is powerful, but He does not abuse His power.
The King of kings is available for personal counsel and aid. Your mighty God has a good plan for your life and He is more than strong enough to execute it. Seek His help. Tell Him about your powerlessness and let Him be your defender and leader. God is available.
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2 comments:
Thank you, Tanya, for that beautiful Easter message.
From the reading I've done, the curtain may have been as thick as a man's hand. And while I couldn't find the dimensions for it, in Solomon's temple the ceiling of the inner sanctuary was 20 cubits high, which is about 30 feet (or 9 meters) according to 1 Kings 6:20. That means the curtain must have been nearly that tall to cover that opening, and the top of the curtain would have been nearly 30 feet in the air!
Wow, Dianne! Thank you for the added information. A curtain that may have been thick as a man's hand and nearly 30 feet high, increases my sense of awe. How amazing that our Father tore that huge curtain to show us that we are welcome in His presence now that Jesus has paid in full the death penalty for our sins.
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