One of my favorite scenes in the Passion of the Christ is where upon releasing His spirit, we see that there is an earthquake and the temple veil that separated the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place was rent (torn) in two. The bible says that the veil was torn from top to bottom. On the surface, this does not appear to be a big deal. Anyone can rip a veil right? Wrong. The temple veil measured about sixty feet high and four inches in width. No human could have torn the veil—it was supernaturally torn by the power of God to show that God had opened a new way for everyone to approach Him. We no longer had to rely on Priests to go into God’s presence on our behalf and atone for the sins of the people. Instead, the Most Holy Place was now readily accessible because of the work Christ completed on the cross.
It symbolized that because of the shedding of Christ’s blood, atonement for sin had been made for all people.
God has always desired an intimate relationship with man. Until sin showed up, God walked in the Garden of Eden with Adam and Eve. He conversed with them and enjoyed a close connection with them. It was never God’s plan for man to be cut off from His presence. But Joyce Meyer says it best: He knew that His holiness was so powerful that it would destroy anything unholy that came near it. Simply phrased, God’s glory and sin do not mix. He is a holy God and sin is like a foul, rotting stench in His nostrils. Hence, there had to be provision—a way to ensure that man could have access to Him. Christ is that provision. His death on the cross, the shedding of his blood to atone for sin, ensures that anyone who believes in Him and claims Him as Savior would have free access to the Father. No priests. No veils. It’s just you and God. Samudaya attests that there is a cause for suffering. In this instance, Christ suffering paved the way for our reconciliation to the Father, once and for all.
19Therefore, brethren, since we have full freedom and confidence to enter into the [Holy of] Holies [by the power and virtue] in the blood of Jesus,20By this fresh (new) and living way which He initiated and dedicated and opened for us through the separating curtain (veil of the Holy of Holies), that is, through His flesh – Hebrews 10:19-20
We have full freedom and confidence to enter the Holy of Holies. We can approach God’s throne without reservation. However, if we are living a worldly lifestyle or not abiding by the holy standards as set by God, coming before His presence might be a problem. Sin separates us from God. It impedes our ability to hear God and receive the fullness of what He has for us in this day and time.
It symbolized that because of the shedding of Christ’s blood, atonement for sin had been made for all people.
God has always desired an intimate relationship with man. Until sin showed up, God walked in the Garden of Eden with Adam and Eve. He conversed with them and enjoyed a close connection with them. It was never God’s plan for man to be cut off from His presence. But Joyce Meyer says it best: He knew that His holiness was so powerful that it would destroy anything unholy that came near it. Simply phrased, God’s glory and sin do not mix. He is a holy God and sin is like a foul, rotting stench in His nostrils. Hence, there had to be provision—a way to ensure that man could have access to Him. Christ is that provision. His death on the cross, the shedding of his blood to atone for sin, ensures that anyone who believes in Him and claims Him as Savior would have free access to the Father. No priests. No veils. It’s just you and God. Samudaya attests that there is a cause for suffering. In this instance, Christ suffering paved the way for our reconciliation to the Father, once and for all.
19Therefore, brethren, since we have full freedom and confidence to enter into the [Holy of] Holies [by the power and virtue] in the blood of Jesus,20By this fresh (new) and living way which He initiated and dedicated and opened for us through the separating curtain (veil of the Holy of Holies), that is, through His flesh – Hebrews 10:19-20
We have full freedom and confidence to enter the Holy of Holies. We can approach God’s throne without reservation. However, if we are living a worldly lifestyle or not abiding by the holy standards as set by God, coming before His presence might be a problem. Sin separates us from God. It impedes our ability to hear God and receive the fullness of what He has for us in this day and time.
©2010-2013 Minister Claretta Taylor Pam, Global Ecumenical Ministries Inc. and Universal Life Church Monastery of Massachusetts. All Rights Reserved
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