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April 2 – Mark 15 (Good Friday)

With a loud cry, Jesus breathed his last.

The curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. ~ Mark 15:37-38 (NIV)

When Adam and Eve disobeyed God, sin entered the world and separated humankind from our holy and perfect God. That sin has continued throughout every generation, for “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). When Jesus died, He atoned for all our sin. As the perfect Son of God, fully God and fully human, He paid the price we couldn’t pay and removed the barrier sin had created between us and God. The tearing of the temple curtain was a sign that this had come to pass.


The temple curtain spoken of in Mark 15:38 was the curtain that separated the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place (or the Holy of Holies) in the temple. The Ark of the Covenant resided in the Most Holy Place, and the Presence of God dwelt above the mercy seat of the Ark, between the two cherubim on its top. In the Holy Place, priests continually offered incense, representing the prayers of the people, on the altar in front of the curtain. Only the high priest could go behind the curtain into the Most Holy Place, and he could only go there once a year on the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) to sprinkle the blood of the animal sacrifice before the Ark to atone for the sins of the people.


When Jesus died, that curtain was torn from top to bottom—from heaven to earth. God Himself removed the barrier. There was no longer any need for animal sacrifices. Jesus paid the price with His blood—once and for all—so that we could now enter the Presence of God freely. Hebrews 10:19-22 puts it this way:


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, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.


We have been cleansed. We have been made whole. All because of Jesus’ sacrifice of love.


On this Good Friday, consider all He went through to remove the barrier of sin for you. Beaten, mocked, spit upon, and tortured—He endured it all so that you might be free. The curtain is torn. The doorway to eternal life is open. And Christ invites you to enter. He died for you. Will you live for Him?


Spend time today in prayerful contemplation of Jesus’ sacrifice for you. Isaiah 53:5 says, “But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on Him, and by His wounds we are healed.” Consider the gift Christ offers you through His death, and worship Him with gratitude.

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vworrell50
Apr 02, 2021

Max Lucado is one of my favorite authors. This is an excerpt from his book "On Calvary's Hill" .

The Temple Curtain Is Torn

The curtain of the Temple was hung before the Holy of Holies, which was part of the Temple no one could enter. Jewish worshipers could enter the outer court, but only the priests could enter the Holy Place. And no one, except the high priest on one day a year, entered the Holy of Holies. No one. Why? Because the shekinah glory—the glory of God—was present there.

No one but the high priest entered the Holy of Holies. No one. To do so meant death. In no uncertain terms, the curtain declared: “This far and no…

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My name is Melissa Anderson. I'm a spiritual director and ordained pastor who loves God, people, and words. You can read more about me by clicking the button below.

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