Unveiled

 

     The Jewish temple was built in accordance to God’s very specific instructions. The Holy of Holies was the inner sanctum of the temple. This Holy Place contained the presence of God and only the high priest could enter it once a year on the Day of Atonement or Yom Kippur. (Exodus 30, Hebrews 9) A veil covered the entrance to the Holy of Holies.

     This particular veil (or curtain) was no ordinary veil. It measured around 60 feet high and was at least 4 inches thick! It was beautifully woven and embroidered in twisted fine linen, made with purple, blue and scarlet material. This veil signified the separation between God and man. It signified sin.

     Now picture this mammoth veil and try to imagine what happened as Jesus died on the cross:

And when Jesus had cried out again, in a loud voice, He gave up His spirit. At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom… Matthew 27:50-51a

     This was the final atonement for sin. There was now no need for the veil! The separation between God and man was paid for, once and for all, by God Himself.  Solomon’s temple and Herod’s temple have both been destroyed, both long gone.

The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by human hands.  Acts 17;24

     I love seeing the promise of Christ throughout the Old Testament. He fulfilled so many Scriptures with His birth, His death and His resurrection. Many more are to come with His second coming and the new heaven and earth. The following beautiful Scriptures from the book of Hebrews will tie this all together. Now we can go boldly to the throne of God. Jesus opened that veil of separation for all time and turned the outward temple of God into the temple within our hearts.

Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, His body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Hebrews 10:19-21

Dear Father,

How do we thank You, the God of creation, for removing the veil of separation once and for all? We can come boldly to the throne because of Jesus, our High Priest. Let us draw near to Him with cleansed hearts.

In Jesus Name

Amen