Tearing the Veil of Separation: Luke 23:44-46
“44) It was now about the sixth hour, and darkness fell over the whole land until the ninth hour, 45) because the sun was obscured; and the veil of the temple was torn in two. 46) And Jesus, crying out with a loud voice, said, “Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit.” Having said this, He breathed His last.” Luke 23:44-46
The veil in the temple being torn in two was monumental. According to Matthew 26:50-51, it was torn in two from top to bottom the exact moment Jesus died.
The veil was a physical wall of separation between God and man. Only the high priest could enter once a year. Read Hebrews chapters nine and ten.
It was also a spiritual wall of separation. Since the sin of Adam, fellowship between man and God was broken. Some say the veil wax six inches thick. The wall of sin separating sinful man and Holy God was even thicker.
When Jesus died on the cross and paid for the sins of humanity, the wall of separation was breached. Now through saving faith in Jesus Christ, the every believer has access into the presence of God.
It is at this point in the crucifixion story, there was also an earthquake. Keep in mind, Jerusalem was full of visitors keeping the Passover. Can you imagine how quickly the story of the crucifixion, the earthquake and the veil in the temple being torn spread among the people?
The coming resurrection was going to add fuel to the fire. Here is the point, “God was at work.” Jesus was crucified by the religious leaders and the Roman soldiers, but God was responsible for all the accompanying signs and wonders. He was punctuating the gospel message!
He did not respond with wrath and vengeance. His wrath against human sin had just been satisfied. The penalty was paid in full. The Old was fulfilled and the New had come. The wall of separation between God and man was torn down.
So what does this have to do with you and me as born again believers? We now have instant access to God. Jesus opened the way into His presence. (See Hebrews 10:19-25)
But there is more! It was a two way exchange. We not only have access to His presence, the Father also fulfilled His promise to send the Holy Spirit to dwell in every born- again believer.
We don’t need to go to the physical temple to offer sacrifices, Jesus became both our High Priest and our sacrifice. In turn, our bodies become the temple of the Holy Spirit and He dwells in us. (See 1 Corinthians 3:16-17 and 6:19-20)
This translates to instant access and continual fellowship with God. This opens the possibility of building a relationship with God unknown by the Old Testament saints and religious leaders.
Something exceedingly new, precious, powerful and exciting has come because of the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Our fellowship with God has unlimited potential, but each one of us needs to build our walk with God.
Paul talked about the amazing foundation we have in Christ, but then He warned that every believer needs to build on that foundation. (See 1 Corinthians 3:10-15)
The big question is; “What are you doing to build your walk with God?” Are you daily entering His presence? Are you walking in the Spirit? If not, why not?
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
Sent from my iPhone
“44) It was now about the sixth hour, and darkness fell over the whole land until the ninth hour, 45) because the sun was obscured; and the veil of the temple was torn in two. 46) And Jesus, crying out with a loud voice, said, “Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit.” Having said this, He breathed His last.” Luke 23:44-46
The veil in the temple being torn in two was monumental. According to Matthew 26:50-51, it was torn in two from top to bottom the exact moment Jesus died.
The veil was a physical wall of separation between God and man. Only the high priest could enter once a year. Read Hebrews chapters nine and ten.
It was also a spiritual wall of separation. Since the sin of Adam, fellowship between man and God was broken. Some say the veil wax six inches thick. The wall of sin separating sinful man and Holy God was even thicker.
When Jesus died on the cross and paid for the sins of humanity, the wall of separation was breached. Now through saving faith in Jesus Christ, the every believer has access into the presence of God.
It is at this point in the crucifixion story, there was also an earthquake. Keep in mind, Jerusalem was full of visitors keeping the Passover. Can you imagine how quickly the story of the crucifixion, the earthquake and the veil in the temple being torn spread among the people?
The coming resurrection was going to add fuel to the fire. Here is the point, “God was at work.” Jesus was crucified by the religious leaders and the Roman soldiers, but God was responsible for all the accompanying signs and wonders. He was punctuating the gospel message!
He did not respond with wrath and vengeance. His wrath against human sin had just been satisfied. The penalty was paid in full. The Old was fulfilled and the New had come. The wall of separation between God and man was torn down.
So what does this have to do with you and me as born again believers? We now have instant access to God. Jesus opened the way into His presence. (See Hebrews 10:19-25)
But there is more! It was a two way exchange. We not only have access to His presence, the Father also fulfilled His promise to send the Holy Spirit to dwell in every born- again believer.
We don’t need to go to the physical temple to offer sacrifices, Jesus became both our High Priest and our sacrifice. In turn, our bodies become the temple of the Holy Spirit and He dwells in us. (See 1 Corinthians 3:16-17 and 6:19-20)
This translates to instant access and continual fellowship with God. This opens the possibility of building a relationship with God unknown by the Old Testament saints and religious leaders.
Something exceedingly new, precious, powerful and exciting has come because of the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Our fellowship with God has unlimited potential, but each one of us needs to build our walk with God.
Paul talked about the amazing foundation we have in Christ, but then He warned that every believer needs to build on that foundation. (See 1 Corinthians 3:10-15)
The big question is; “What are you doing to build your walk with God?” Are you daily entering His presence? Are you walking in the Spirit? If not, why not?
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
Sent from my iPhone
