His death gave us divine access
Rev. Tetteh-Annor Larbi | October 2, 2023 | Matthew 27:45-56
KEY VERSE: Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom;…. Matthew 27:51a (NIV)
MESSAGE:
Today’s text describes some of the events that happened on the cross and after Jesus breathed his last and gave up his spirit. These events were recorded in detail by eyewitnesses who loved him and followed him during his ministry.
Our focus today is on the tearing of the veil of the temple in two. This event occurred right after Jesus gave up his ghost. The veil of the temple, which separated the Holy place from the Holy of Holies was torn from top to bottom.
This is significant for two reasons. First, it shows that the tearing was not done by human hands, but by God himself. The veil was very high and thick, and no human could have torn it from the top. It would have been possible only from the bottom if humans were involved.
Second, it shows that the barrier between God and humanity was removed by the death of Jesus. The veil symbolized the separation between a holy God and sinful people. Only the high priest could enter the most holy place once a year to offer sacrifices for the sins of the people. But Jesus became our new and better high priest, who offered himself as the perfect sacrifice for our sins once and for all. Because of Jesus, we now have direct access to God.
FEET AND HANDS FOR THE MESSAGE:
Jesus died so that we could have direct access to God. We can now approach God with confidence and boldness through prayer and worship. We don’t need any human mediator or intermediary to access God
PRAYER:
Thank you, Father, for granting me unhindered access to your throne room. Give me the grace to use this access for the cause of your kingdom. Amen
THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING.
SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!!
____________ DAILY word study: VEIL The word "veil" in today's verse is translated from the following Greek term:
"καταπέτασμα" (katapetasma): This term specifically refers to the veil or curtain that separated the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place in the temple.
The concept of the veil has significant biblical symbolism, particularly in the Old Testament:
Temple Veil: In the Old Testament, the veil in the temple symbolized the separation between God's presence in the Most Holy Place and the people. Only the high priest could enter the Most Holy Place, and that, only once a year on the Day of Atonement (Exodus 26:31-35; Leviticus 16:2).
Symbol of Separation: The tearing of the veil at the death of Jesus symbolizes the removal of the separation between God and humanity. The tearing of the veil signifies access to God's presence for all through the sacrifice of Christ.
The tearing of the temple veil in Matthew 27:51 is a profound moment that follows the death of Jesus on the cross. It occurs simultaneously with the earthquake and the splitting of rocks, indicating the cosmic significance of this event. Symbolically, the meaning of the event could be given as:
Access to God: The tearing of the veil signifies the opening of access to God's presence. Through the death of Jesus, the barrier between God and humanity is removed, and all are invited to approach God directly.
Atonement Completed: The tearing of the veil corresponds with the completion of the atonement. The sacrifice of Jesus, the perfect Lamb of God, fulfils and surpasses the sacrificial system of the Old Testament.
Symbol of Christ's Body: In Hebrews 10:20, the writer explicitly connects the torn veil with the body of Jesus. The tearing of the veil represents the tearing of Christ's flesh, symbolizing His sacrifice for our sins.
With this meaning, we are invited to appreciate the profound access to God that we have through the sacrifice of Jesus. We are encouraged to approach God with confidence, recognizing the completeness of Christ's atonement and the removal of any barriers that might hinder our relationship with Him. Reflections: How does this reality impact your understanding of prayer, worship, and your relationship with God?
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