At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split. Matthew 27:51 NIV
Bella loves to chew. She chews to relieve boredom. She chews to escape her kennel. She has chewed through doors to get where she wants to go. She has chewed window sills, couches, glasses. It might be easier to tell you what Bella has not chewed but nothing comes to mind. She has had to have dental surgery due to her teeth being grinded down to nubs because of her love of chewing. Most everything Bella is around is torn, chewed or swallowed.
When Jesus died the curtain in the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. This curtain was four inches thick and almost 60 feet high. It was used as the barrier to the Holy of Holies where God’s presence rested. The high priest was the only one who could enter this area and that was only once a year to make atonement for sins.
This scripture has always fascinated me. I could picture the giant hands of God taking the curtain and just starting a tear and then ripping it in two. How else could it be torn from top to bottom? The separation between God and man was over. Now we could come directly to the throne of God (Hebrews 4:16).
Our high priest had entered the holy of holies with his perfect blood sacrifice and declared, “It is finished”. No more yearly sacrifice for sins. The perfect lamb of God had been sacrificed and we are forgiven, cleansed and made whole. God had provided his lamb!
Hebrews 10:19-20 says, “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”. The curtain is called Jesus’ body in this verse and just as Jesus’ body was broken, the curtain was torn. Our great high priest is Jesus who went before us and is the only way to the Father. His sacrificial death made atonement for our sin, once for all.
The curtain has been torn and the payment for sin has been made. Nothing separates us from the love of God. The throne room is open and accessible. Won’t you come in?
Just Another Dog Devotion 