THE RENT VEIL OF THE TEMPLE

Let us pause for a moment and think of the many wonders which attended the greatest heartbreak and the greatest triumph of history.  I speak of the tragic scene of Calvary.  Meteorologically - the skies darkened, the heavens thundered and discharged their anguish at the pitiable sight of their Master hanging in agony between heaven and earth.  Geologically - the earth, whose power had made and swallowed mountains, trembled with the taste of innocent blood, the precious blood which cried from the body of the only begotten Son of God.  Anthropomorphically - fossils and bones, long dead and dried, were called from the depths and rightly fit together and became a small living army to serve as companions to the first fruits of the resurrection yet to come.  Even the Temple, which we have learned was to serve as a type of Christ, swayed under the awesome power of Calvary’s Cross.  The Temple curtain was torn asunder. The Secret of the Holy of Holies was unveiled.

(Matthew 27:51) And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent;

Historically - it was only the high priest who had access to this sacred chamber of the Holy of Holies.  His priesthood was there.  When Jesus on the Cross gave up His Spirit, and cried, “It is finished,” the Holy of Holies moved above; or else was transfixed with the High Priest of Heaven in human hearts. 

The Holy of Holies is now the presence of Jesus Christ within my heart; I have been ushered behind that Veil, and can now come with confidence before the Savior of my soul.

Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.  (15)  For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.  (16)  Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrews Bible KJV 4:14-16)

No priest, nor pastor, nor preacher, nor president, nor king, nor dictator dare now bar the way to God’s presence. No man nor woman shall stand between me and God. I need no burning bush, nor a miraculous vision, nor a voice to say, “the place where thou standest is holy ground.” Every mountain side can now be my Temple, and every cornfield can be a Holy of Holies. I hear Jesus knock at the door of my soul, and Jehovah, Himself enters and abides with me.  We sup together the communion of abundant life. The “I Am” of Moses in the desert is now my “I AM,” or rather the “ I will be what I will be.” He is ever speaking in this Holy Place, “To your weakness I will be Strength; to your worthlessness I will be Worthiness: to your darkness I will be Light: to your death I will be Life.”

Jesus is no longer concealed to me! The old veil had hid, the Rent Veil reveals. I can now see Jesus with my spiritual eyes, face to face.  I can now apprehend Him in my mind, and grasp Him by my faith.  It is not that I know all things about Him, but my High Priest is forever with me.  The joy of my life is to now and forever  learn of Him.

The Rent Veil is revelation: this newly unfurled curtain reveals His attributes and makes Him more fully knowable. He is so approachable!

We might say the old veil was a type of sin. Sin drew the veil over God’s face, The bloody sacrifice of Christ withdrew it; nay, rent it into from top to bottom. Our LORD was of such holiness that HE could not, would not, look upon sin.  However, Jesus Christ became that sin, and His body was rent from the top (with its crown of thorns we made him wear) to the bottom (with His feet nailed to the Old Rugged Cross).  Both veils were ripped. We can now venture within the Curtain and gaze without alarm on the very face of the Holy One.

You may wonder what should happen when I see Him. I should absorb that Glory and reflect it like a mirror back to the world.  I should be transformed into His image.  That which I admire I imitate, and His love should breed His likeness within me.  As I gaze, I grow!

But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass (Mirror)the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord. (2 Corinthians Bible KJV 3:18 ).