Contemplating the Curtain
/
What about Easter is most meaningful to you?
It’s been another tough week for us (you’d think I’d be getting used to this by now). I’d really wanted to spend a lot of this week preparing the spark plugs for Resurrection Sunday, but between injury and illness (thankfully non-contagious this time!), it just didn’t happen. We did get to read aloud about Jesus’ betrayal and trial in Luke, and I’ve done some thinking on my own. As I’ve contemplated Christ’s death and resurrection in light of these hardships, my thoughts keep coming back to the tabernacle veil.
In the Old Testament, a thick curtain or veil separated the Most Holy Place from the rest of the temple. Now, when I think of my wedding veil – a light, transparent piece of netting – it doesn’t do justice to the temple veil described in the Bible. According to this author’s description, it’s believed that the temple veil was about 4″ thick and unable to be torn by human effort.
The veil’s purpose was to separate sinful man from a Holy God’s Earthly resting place. Our sin is so great that none of us is worthy (without Christ’s atoning sacrifice) to enter into His presence.
But on Good Friday, the day that Jesus died on the cross, that curtain was torn in two, from top to bottom (Mark 15:38).We, who of ourselves are completely unworthy to stand before an Awesome God, now have the privilege of being in a relationship with Him where we don’t need any other intercessor but Christ!
The tearing of the curtain put an end to the Jewish sacrificial system because Jesus was the Ultimate Sacrifice. No other sacrifice is needed. Jesus did what we could not do for ourselves: in sacrificing Himself, He tore the separation between us and God so that we who believe in His finished work on the cross can spend Eternity in Heaven.
The tearing of the curtain has been most significant to me this Easter season. Christ’s sacrifice on the cross is what gives us hope that, someday, we’ll be with Him forever in Heaven, where illness, pain, tribulation, and sadness will be no more. When life is hard, when friends are hurting, when the news is bad, when we’re too exhausted to celebrate, we can rejoice and be glad in the hope that Easter brings.
Your turn: What are you dwelling on this Easter season? Share in the comments below. I’d love to hear from you!
