~Our High Priest is seated at the right hand of the throne of Majesty in the Heavens.~
I remember well when I was a young child hearing for the first time about the tearing of the temple veil at the death of Christ. What an image that is. Today when we hear the word veil we often think of some wispy, see through material. This veil wasn't like that.
The Torn Temple Veil
The Bible tells us that the veil was approximately 60 feet tall, 30 feet wide and approximately 4 inches thick. It was adorned with cherubim like the ones Ezekiel saw guarding God's throne. It was made of blue, purple and scarlet yarn with finely twisted linen. When it was torn it wasn't from the bottom up, but the top down. Only the hand of God could tear a 4 inch thick, 60 foot tall veil from top to bottom (Matthew 27:51).
Why Was The Veil Torn?
As amazing as all of that is, the most amazing thing is the significance of the veil being torn. The word veil in Hebrew literally means "to separate". That was its function - to separate humans from the holiness and majesty of God.
Behind this veil lay the Holy of Holies and the Mercy Seat. The mercy seat was where the blood of the sacrifice was placed that would reconcile God and his people. Only once a year on the Day of Atonement, did a high priest enter this area behind the veil.
From the moment the veil was torn, no longer was a priest needed to bring the blood of animals to atone for our sins. We could, through the perfect sacrifice of Christ on the cross, go directly to our Lord. The blood of Jesus literally allows us to enter into the presence of God. Hebrews 10: 19-22 tells us that we can boldly go to God through the blood of Jesus.
We no longer need a Jewish high priest to atone for our sins. Jesus's sacrifice on the cross is our perfect atonement. We enter into God's presence through the veil that is Christ's flesh. He is our high priest. He is our perfect sacrifice. Hebrews 8: 1-2 says the main point is that our High Priest, Jesus, is seated in Heaven and is the minister of the true tabernacle. We no longer need a man to do this job.
Jesus has torn down the veil between man and God. It is his righteousness, not ours, that allows us to approach God. Because of Jesus we can come before God boldly.
"Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need." Hebrews 4: 16
The New Covenant
The tearing of the veil signifies the beginning of the New Covenant. The Old Covenant has passed away. The Old Covenant was based on obeying the Laws of Moses. Ezekiel 36: 26-27 speaks of the New Covenant this way:
"I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them."
The Perfect Sacrifice
As the celebration of Easter and the Resurrection of our Lord approaches let us be mindful of the fact that Jesus our High Priest was tempted in all points just as we are and yet He was sinless (Hebrews 4:15). He was the perfect sacrifice, once for all.
Please pray with me:
We bless you Lord and we thank you for the gift of your Son, Jesus, who has become our great High Priest, our intercessor, before your throne for the forgiveness of our sins. By His Cross and Resurrection He has set us free. Amen
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