February 24, 2021
“You shall make a veil of blue and purple and scarlet material and fine twisted linen; it shall be made with cherubim, the work of a skillful workman … and (you) shall bring in the ark of the testimony there within the veil; and the veil shall serve for you as a partition between the holy place and the holy of holies.” (Exodus 26:31-33)
Everything with God has purpose. We see this dimly now. One of the joys of heaven will be the revelation of the intricacies of all God did and why He did it. We will be stunned at His precision.
THE TABERNACLE
… that God instructed Moses to construct as they traveled to the Promised Land was a portable picture of what the temple would one day be in Jerusalem. God gives Moses precise instructions in its building, for each piece represented something.
The final section of this tabernacle would house one thing: the ark of the covenant, which was covered by the mercy seat. No one could enter this place but the High Priest who would come and make intercession for the people’s sins at this place of God’s presence and mercy. This was where God would instruct His people. This was the place of God’s manifest presence … the most important place of all.
Separating this Holy of Holies from the Holy place was a heavy veil. Some scholars say it was 3”-6” thick. This was no wispy shear but a substantial wall.
THE MERCIFUL TEARING
Fast forward to the crucifixion of Christ. On that horrible/beautiful day, we read this account:
And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and yielded up His spirit. And behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth shook, and the rocks were split (Matthew 27:50-51).
Why is this so deliberately mentioned? It is because everything in God’s plan means something. As we see the unfolding design of God for man throughout the New Testament, we understand. The place that we once could not enter, the place of the manifest presence of God, was no longer separated for all those who believe. The tearing of this veil meant that, because of Christ’s sacrifice, we could all enter through faith and stand with “peace facing God,” as Paul says (Romans 5:1-2).
And there’s more. Not only can we now enter God’s presence, but His presence has also entered us! He sent His Spirit to indwell every true believer, from the most visible leader to the most obscure child who places their faith in Christ.
The veil is gone! We can enjoy His presence every hour of every day as we humbly turn to Him. And this is the greatest gift of all.
Father, thank You for tearing the veil! Thank You for opening the way for us to experience Your presence constantly. Thank You, Jesus, for the incredible sacrifice You made to provide this. And thank You, Holy Spirit, for coming to live in me. Give me the humility today to walk with gratitude for this inclusion. Help me live with a growing awareness of Your presence and continual dependence upon the Christ who lives in me!
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