Torn In Two

And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. And the earth shook, and the rocks were split.
Matthew 27:51

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Matthew, Mark and Luke share the same event of the curtain (or the veil) being torn when Jesus died on the cross.  The tearing of the curtain has a significant meaning that we must consider as we remember the death of Jesus.  The events that took place while Jesus was on the cross prove that Jesus was the Messiah.

The Jewish temple was a complicated place of worship.  On the outside there were courts set aside for women and Gentiles to be able to worship God.  On the inside the temple the Jewish men were allowed to worship.  The temple had a very special room called the Holy of Holies.  Once a year the High Priest would go into the Holy of Holies and offer a sacrifice for the sins of the nation of Israel.  There were certain rules and arrangements made just for this special occasion. A beautiful curtain blocked the entrance of this special place where the presence of God was said to be in the Ark of the Covenant. The curtain was approxmiately 60 feet long, 20 feet wide and 4 inches thick.  The historian, Josephus, said horses tied to each side could not pull it apart.  But yet we read that when Jesus died on the cross, the curtain was torn from the top to the bottom.  Only God could have done such a wondrous work.

The torn curtain symbolizes how every Christian now has access to God without going through a priest.  As a Believer we can go directly to God anytime we want to.  Because the Holy Spirit resides in the heart of the Believer there are no longer any barriers separating us from God.

Prayer

Father God, we thank you for sending us Jesus to save us and give us eternal life.  We thank you for removing all barriers and allowing us to pray directly to You.