Beyond the Veil

I don’t know all there is to know about the tearing of the temple veil when Jesus, the Son of God, walked among the people of that day.  This supernatural event is recorded in three of the Gospels: Matthew 27:51, Mark 15:38, and Luke 23:45.

I understand that beyond the veil—a huge, heavy drape made of fine linen and blue, purple, and scarlet yarn—was the Holy of Holies, where the very presence of Almighty God dwelled.  It was the most sacred area of the ancient tabernacle of Moses and the temple in Jerusalem.  The Holy of Holies was accessible only to the Israelite high priest.  The holiness of God could not be accessed by anyone but the high priest, lest they forfeit their lives.

Once a year, on the Day of Atonement, the high priest was permitted to enter this small enclosure to burn incense and sprinkle the blood of a sacrificial animal on the mercy seat of the Ark of the Covenant.  By doing so, he atoned for his own sins and the sins of the people.

Today, as sin continues to abound, there is only one hope of atonement—salvation through Jesus Christ, the sacrificial Lamb of God.  He alone is the atonement for the sins of all mankind.

Yes, the high priest faithfully performed his appointed duties and carried out that all-important ministry each year, but I am convinced that when he stepped beyond the veil, he did so with great trepidation and unwavering reverence.

The moment Jesus died on the cross for our sins; He took upon Himself the sins of the world.  Were it not for Jesus, there would be no hope of salvation for humanity.

An amazing thing happened just as Jesus cried out with a loud voice from the cross, “Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit!”  Having said this, He breathed His last.  The curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom—not by man, but by the supernatural power of God Himself.

His unmerited love for humanity caused the veil to be torn because He wanted an intimate, Father-son and Father-daughter relationship with His children, with no barriers of separation.

Every person who accepts Jesus as Lord and Savior is privileged to enter into the very presence of the Creator—God the Father.  His children can now approach the throne of God with boldness because of who we are in Christ Jesus.

We can present all of our petitions before God in the name of Jesus, who is our High Priest.  We need not fear or be vexed with trepidation.

This is because of whose we are.

Written by,

Papa Boyd