Sin separated us from God, but He chose
to dwell among us. So that God could dwell among the Israelites, He instructed
Moses to erect a sanctuary. In addition to instructions for the ark, gift
table, lampstand and other items, God directed that the dwelling, include curtains
for the roof, walls made of boards that rested on silver feet and held together
by wooden bolts, and a purple curtain veil the Holy of Holies.[iii]
The curtain or veil symbolized the separation
of God from His people. The word “veil” in Hebrew means a screen or separator
that hides. The veil shielded Holy God from sinful man.
Early Jewish tradition stated the veil
was as thick as a man’s hand, although this might be an exaggeration.[iv] The Israelites made the
veil from fine linen and blue, purple and scarlet yarn, and if one looked
upward, one would see cherubim figures embroidered on it. Cherubim guarded God’s
throne and were in His presence to demonstrate His almighty power and majesty.[v]
Whoever passed through the veil entered
the Holy of Holies, the very presence of God, but anyone except the high priest
who entered the Holy of Holies died. Even the high priest, God’s chosen
mediator for His people, could only pass through the veil and enter this sacred
dwelling once a year, on the Day of Atonement.[vi]
I mention the detail of the Temple veil
because we cannot overlook its importance in telling the story of salvation –
our salvation. The evangelists recorded at the moment of Jesus’ death the
Temple veil tore top to bottom, but why did they record this detail for Jewish
and Gentile believers in Jesus?
The answer to that question begins with
Jesus’ baptism, which commenced his public ministry. After his baptism, Jesus
emerged from the water, and “saw the heavens being torn open and the
Spirit descending on him like a dove.” He heard the voice from heaven
proclaim, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”
What the evangelists recorded was a
response to Isaiah’s prayer that God “rend the heavens and come down” to bring
his flock up from the sea, put his spirit in the midst of his people and guide
them in a new exodus.
At Jesus’ baptism, the rending of the
heavens announced the beginning of the end. His public ministry began and ended
with the rendering of heaven and the proclamation that He is the Son of God.
The rendering of the Temple veil spoke to Jewish Christians. The
acknowledgement of a centurion spoke to Gentile or Roman Christians.
In Mark we read: Jesus uttered a loud cry
and breathed his last. The curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to
bottom. When the centurion, who stood facing him, heard Jesus’ loud voice that
recalled cries of those from whom he cast unclean spirits, and saw that Jesus
breathed his last, the centurion said, “Truly this man was the Son of God!”
As Jesus died, the Holy Spirit that
descended from a violently-torn heaven and possessed Him at his baptism, left
His body as the Temple veil tore, symbolizing that the holy of holies and
ancient sacrifices would be no more.
Lent is an appropriate time to meditate
on Christ’s suffering. Throughout his life and to the end of his life, Jesus
gave us everything he had and was.
I close with a true story. Some years
ago, divers located a 400-year-old ship off the coast of northern Ireland.[vii] Among the treasures
found on the sunken ship was a man’s wedding ring. When it was cleaned up, the
divers noticed it had an inscription on it. Etched on the wide band was a hand
holding a heart. Under the etching was this inscription: “I have nothing more to give you.”
Of all the treasures on that ship, none
moved the divers more than that ring and the beautiful inscription on it.
The words on that ring, “I have nothing more to give you,” could
have been written on the cross of Jesus. For, on the cross, Jesus gave us
everything he had. He gave us his love. He gave us his life. He gave us all
that one person could give to another. He had nothing more to give us.
What are you prepared to give Jesus in
return for all that he has given you? Your life? Your loved ones? Your
reputation? Your career? Your friendships with worldly people? Your time? Your
attention? Your possessions? … All nonessential in comparison to what Jesus
gave for you and me, would you not agree?
As we approach Holy Week and focus on
Jesus’ crucifixion, ask God to help you contemplate your death in a way that your
prayer might change you. Ask God to help you see clearly Christ crucified and
his five wounds – his pierced hands, feet and side. Ask God to help you
appreciate what Jesus did for you in making a once inaccessible God accessible
to all, accessible to you and your family, your friends and enemies. May God
bless you in your prayer and may the Holy Spirit change you to become a
believer in the power of God’s love poured forth from the Cross into your
heart. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
[i]
Isaiah 59:1-2
[ii]
Habakkuk 1:13
[iii] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holy_of_Holies
[iv] https://cbumgardner.wordpress.com/2010/04/06/the-thickness-of-the-temple-veil/
[v] http://the-tabernacle-place.com/articles/what_is_the_tabernacle/tabernacle_holy_of_holies
[vi] http://the-tabernacle-place.com/articles/what_is_the_tabernacle/tabernacle_holy_of_holies
[vii]
Link, 57
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