Mark 15:37-39 NIV – “With a loud cry, Jesus breathed his last. The curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. And when the centurion, who stood there in front of Jesus, saw how he died, he said, ‘Surely this man was the Son of God!’”
Before Jesus Christ came, the people of Israel worshipped God under the law. Under the law, there was a tabernacle of worship that contained the most Holy place. This physical tabernacle was an exact representation of the true tabernacle in heaven. The most Holy place had a veil that could only be opened once every year when the High priest offered sacrifices to God. God made it clear through this arrangement that man did not have permanent access to Him because of our sinfulness.
Hebrews 9:8 NIV -‘The Holy Spirit was showing by this that the way into the Most Holy Place had not yet been disclosed as long as the first tabernacle was still functioning.’
Our reference scripture explains what happened at the cross. The moment Jesus died, the veil of the physical temple was torn from top to bottom. This signified that the Most Holy Place was now open to mankind permanently because of the sacrifice of Jesus.
Hebrews 9:11-12 NLT – ‘So Christ has now become the High Priest over all the good things that have come. He has entered that greater, more perfect Tabernacle in heaven, which was not made by human hands and is not part of this created world. With his own blood—not the blood of goats and calves—he entered the Most Holy Place once for all time and secured our redemption forever.’
Now, you and I have unrestricted access to God through the blood of Jesus. His death for you and I on the cross was accepted by God and we can boldly approach God’s throne with full assurance.
Hebrews 10:19-22 NLT – ‘And so, dear brothers and sisters, we can boldly enter heaven’s Most Holy Place because of the blood of Jesus. By his death, Jesus opened a new and life-giving way through the curtain into the Most Holy Place. And since we have a great High Priest who rules over God’s house, let us go right into the presence of God with sincere hearts fully trusting him. For our guilty consciences have been sprinkled with Christ’s blood to make us clean, and our bodies have been washed with pure water.’
SO… WHAT NEXT? The way to God has been opened. Don’t allow anything to keep you away from a loving relationship with God: not shame, not past mistakes, not fear, not the burden of rule following, not anything (Romans 8:38-39 & Galatians 3:10-14). On the other hand, don’t forget to remind yourself that the blood of Jesus is the only reason you have access to God and don’t cheapen His sacrifice by living in sin.
PRAYER: Dear Father, thank you for sending Jesus Christ to die on the cross for my sins. Now I have peace with you. Give me the boldness to always approach you when I am in need and when I’m not. And help me to live how you want me to in Jesus’ name. Amen