The Temple Curtain Was Ripped

When Jesus died, it set off a chain reaction, from the tearing of the temple curtain to people rising from their tombs and entering the holy city. The temple curtain, which separated God’s holiness from the world, was torn open.  And people who were dead – which according to the law, meant they were unclean – entered the holy city.  Matthew is showing that Jesus’ death changed the relationship of God to the world.  Before the death of Christ, God and the world were kept apart.  Now things would be different.

The moment Jesus died on the cross, our sins were paid for.  We’re not guilty anymore.  Jesus took our guilt upon himself.  Since we are no longer guilty, God doesn’t have to protect us from His holiness.  Have you ever thought that things were too good for you? As a pastor I have seen many who think their sin is so great they cannot take communion and they often think they can never be forgiven.  Thanks to Jesus, even God is no longer too good for you. This is what the torn curtain means for us.

Some people think they have strayed so far that they cannot be forgiven. Some never darken the doors of church because they think they have sinned too much to ever be forgiven.  The church needs to proclaim loudly that it is the place for sinners and because Jesus died they are welcome.  “Unclean” bodies from the tomb went into the holy city.  Jesus’ death provides all the cleansing that anyone will ever need.

This is the true meaning of Easter.  Jesus died so our sins can be forgiven.  God gave his only Son to die upon the cross for our sins and today Jesus has risen and freed us to live with Him eternally. CHRIST HAS RISEN. HE HAS RISEN INDEED!

Prayer: Jesus, thank you for forgiving all my sins.  Thank you for dying so that I could be in your presence and be with your people.  Amen.

Matthew 27:50-52 – Again Jesus cried out with a loud shout. ‘Then He died’. The curtain of the Temple was torn from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split and the bodies of many holy people who had died were raised.

Author: Tommy Herndon