It was the first month of the year and it was the time of Passover. The High Priest was well hidden behind the thick curtains of blue, purple and scarlet fine-twined linen. The holy of holies (Hebrews 9:7) was completely shut off to everyone else. Only the tinkling of the bells on his robe communicated to the congregation that he was still alive. Silently and reverently the High Priest went about his duties. Everything was in order and he performed every detail as it had always been done since God ordained the system. Nothing unexpected would happen – could happen – but suddenly – without warning – shock – terror – amazement. The curtain was split in two from top to bottom – and the holy of holies was completely exposed - - - and nobody died! What had happened?
We must go quickly to Calvary to the Cross of Jesus - - we don’t want to miss the unfolding of the mystery which can only be revealed by the Cross. We see Jesus – broken, bleeding, very weak – but suddenly – unexpectedly – He shouts – shouts?! (John 19:30) IT IS FINISHED - - and that clarion call has resounded across all the centuries of mankind. When the Father heard His beloved Son’s victory declaration – there was such an explosion of love and power from His heart that (Matthew 27:51-53) the veil of the temple was rent in two –there was an earthquake – rocks were split – graves were opened and after Christ’s resurrection many rose from the dead and went into Jerusalem where they were recognized.
Are you watching – are you seeing – truly seeing with the eyes of your heart?
Did e’er such love and sorrow meet
Or thorns compose so rich a crown?
At the moment Jesus yielded up His life to death – at that moment the priests were busy with the evening sacrifice.
As the veil was rent, what was the bewildered High Priest thinking as the holiest place was exposed? What about the other priests who had never looked in there before? Shock? – Fear?
Did the High Priest have anything to say to the priests? That year the High Priest was (John 18:24) Caiaphas who, just a few hours earlier, had demanded (Matthew 27:1) the death of Jesus. Wicked Caiaphas is just one of many proofs that (Psalms 76:10) the wrath of man shall praise God – the very ONE he wanted to destroy is our High Priest forever (Hebrews 9:10-11,10:19-21) and He went once for all into the holy of holies in Heaven. Nothing in this world can ever get out of God’s control.
I ask – what were they thinking back then? But a more pertinent question would be - - - what are you and I thinking now?! The rent veil was a symbol that (Hebrews 6:19-20, 9:11-12) Jesus had opened the way (became the WAY) for all believers to enter into the very Presence of God through the rent veil of His torn flesh. Death is an enemy BUT NOT a victorious enemy (2 Timothy 1:10), 1 Corinthians 15:26). Jesus has made death a comma – not a period.
Jesus has transformed cemeteries into resurrection ground. So great was His love (John 3:16) for the world our precious heavenly Father, with His exploding heart of love, has given us (Luke 2:10) our greatest Gift so that He could give us (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18) our greatest hope.
Meditating on these glorious truths increases my faith, deepens my intimacy with the Lord and increases my longing for Heaven.
Physical problems with increasing pain – unpleasant circumstances – world affairs – many uncertainties – and etc. and etc. All these things cannot even come close to the security we have in the Sovereignty of God. The Lord brings the counsel of the nations to nothing and makes the plans of man of no effect BUT (Psalms 33:10-11). His counsel will stand forever and His plan through all generations. The Lord is my light and my salvation (Psalms 27:1) whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life, of whom or what shall I be afraid? I know the thoughts and plans I have for you, says the Lord (Jeremiah 29:11) thoughts and plans for welfare and peace, not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome. We know that God is working ALL THINGS (Romans 8:28-29) together for His purpose to make us like Jesus. My times (Psalms 31:15) are in the Lord’s hand. Can you think of a safer or wiser place? So I take everything that comes as coming from the hand of the Lord.
Very familiar verses – we can quote all of them, but do we truly believe them – or – do we prefer to keep worry as our constant companion? How foolish and how needless!
As we (if we) trust and obey the Lord – if we truly embrace His Sovereignty – there will be no room in us for stress or worry. Such interlopers, will be forced out by our security of unfailing love and the knowledge that we are sheltered in the Almighty arms of our Sovereign God.
Let us seek through intercession to keep our relationship with God completely open and ever-deepening.
Remember, our citizenship (Philippians 3:20) is in heaven. We have a temporary visa for Planet Earth so let’s buy up the opportunities and (Ephessians5:16) redeem the time - - even as we long to be with Christ (Philippians 1:23) which is far better.
