April 2, 2021
Torn in Two for Me and You
Lisa Morrone
Today’s Truth
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…let us draw near to God with a sincere heart. (Hebrews 10:19-20, 22a NIV).
Friend to Friend
As Easter Sunday nears, we believers often take time to reflect on the biblical account of the Resurrection weekend. Scripture tells us of many miraculous happenings: many of the dead in Christ rose from their graves and walked about Jerusalem, the huge boulder at the mouth of the Savior’s tomb was rolled aside, Christ’s body vanished right from beneath His burial clothes, and angels appeared (Matthew 27:52-53).
Meanwhile, back at the temple, the thick curtain, which separated the Holy Place where the Levitical priests served daily, from the Most Holy Place, where only the High Priest could enter once a year, was TORN IN TWO!
Maybe I was an unusual child, but as I listened to my Sunday school teacher recount the miracles surrounding that first Easter Day, I was not focused on the empty tomb or the heralding angels. I was fixated on what happened back at the temple. The innermost curtain…was torn in two…from TOP TO BOTTOM. That just seemed odd to my child’s mind. Why was this tearing a part of the resurrection miracles? And why was the detail about how it tore (top to bottom) so significant?
When I asked, my Sunday school teacher offered an insight which I feel is the most significant part of Resurrection story, the WHY. You see, the validity of Christianity rests on the miraculous WHAT: Jesus took our sins upon Himself, died in our place, and conquered death for all eternity when God raised Him from the dead.
Ah, but as for the WHY—well, that’s where the curtain comes in! In the same instant Jesus hung His head in death, the curtain, which separated mankind from their Creator, was torn in two, from top to bottom.
According to Hebrews 10:19-20, 22a we instantly gained unhindered access to God the Father through our Lord Jesus:
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…let us draw near to God with a sincere heart.
Most materials which hang down naturally tear from bottom to top, such as a wind-tattered flag. But the curtain, which hung in the temple ripped top to bottom demonstrating that God Almighty reached down from heaven and did the tearing.
There was another monumental thing which was torn in two that day…our rap sheet!
Scripture says we will each give an account of our lives on the Day of Judgement (Romans 14:12, Hebrews 4:13, 1 Peter 4:5). But imagine this with me: You are waiting in line to give an account of your sins. Jesus stands up, looks you directly in the eye, takes hold of your “rap sheet,” and suddenly tears it in two—from top to bottom. Hallelujah!
I’m so thankful for my Sunday School teacher who took the time to explain the important symbolism of the torn curtain to an inquisitive little girl with a hungry heart. A curtain torn for me. A curtain torn for you.
How do you use this unhindered access to Jesus in your day?
Let’s Pray
Dear Jesus, in response to Your sacrifice—which tore Your body, tore You from Your Father, tore up my rap sheet, and ultimately tore open the curtain so I could gain full access to You—today, I rend my own heart in two. With a rent heart (Joel 2:12) I worship You as fully sovereign, fully holy, and fully just.
In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Now It's Your Turn:
Consider this verse: Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. (Hebrews 4:16 NIV)
How freely do you use your access to God?
If you feel unworthy or have a tendency to, “not ask for too much”, remind yourself of WHY Jesus tore open that curtain—so that you could come freely into His presence. Anytime. For anything.
More from the Girlfriends
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On the same subject, bless your day with Gwen Smith’s song, Through the Veil!
© 2021 by Lisa Morrone. All rights reserved.
Originally published Friday, 02 April 2021.
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