The Veil is Torn!
Have you ever seen the majesty of Bridal Veil Falls at Yosemite
National Park? Stunning! Breathtaking!
And there’s the sweetness of a lacy bridal veil, waiting to
be lifted by a new husband.
be lifted by a new husband.
Bridal veils are beautiful.
We’ve celebrated the forgiveness of Good Friday and the joy
of Resurrection Sunday.
of Resurrection Sunday.
But, as I read the Scripture, there’s an event that’s often
passed over: the tearing of the bridal veil.
passed over: the tearing of the bridal veil.
At that
moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.
moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.
The earth shook and the rocks split. Matthew 27:51
Why do I call
the curtain a bridal veil?
the curtain a bridal veil?
In the Old
Testament, God often referred to Himself as Israel’s Husband.
Testament, God often referred to Himself as Israel’s Husband.
For your Maker is
your husband— the LORD
Almighty is his name– the Holy One of Israel
your husband— the LORD
Almighty is his name– the Holy One of Israel
is your Redeemer; he
is called the God of all the earth. Isaiah 54:5
is called the God of all the earth. Isaiah 54:5
But a veil
separated Israel from her husband. In the temple, the Holy of Holies, where God
dwelt, was set apart by a curtain.
separated Israel from her husband. In the temple, the Holy of Holies, where God
dwelt, was set apart by a curtain.
This was
no sheer bridal veil as we think of today. Exodus 26 describes it as a curtain
of blue, purple and scarlet yarn and finely twisted linen. Heavy, thick cloth.
Even though Israel was Almighty God’s cherished wife and He was her husband,
she could never approach Him. A thick veil separated them. Never to be opened. Never to be lifted.
no sheer bridal veil as we think of today. Exodus 26 describes it as a curtain
of blue, purple and scarlet yarn and finely twisted linen. Heavy, thick cloth.
Even though Israel was Almighty God’s cherished wife and He was her husband,
she could never approach Him. A thick veil separated them. Never to be opened. Never to be lifted.
And then
Jesus died on the cross, the perfect sacrifice for our sins. The bridal veil
tore from top to bottom.
Jesus died on the cross, the perfect sacrifice for our sins. The bridal veil
tore from top to bottom.
Can you
imagine the shock of the priests who were in the temple performing sacrifices in
preparation for Passover? The tearing sound of the heavy cloth must have been
deafening. Imagine their shock as they watched unseen hands rip it apart from
top to bottom. The Holy of Holies, once forbidden, now hung open for all to
enter.
imagine the shock of the priests who were in the temple performing sacrifices in
preparation for Passover? The tearing sound of the heavy cloth must have been
deafening. Imagine their shock as they watched unseen hands rip it apart from
top to bottom. The Holy of Holies, once forbidden, now hung open for all to
enter.
The church –
all believers – you and me – we are the bride of Christ and we are free to
enter in. We are welcome before God’s throne.
all believers – you and me – we are the bride of Christ and we are free to
enter in. We are welcome before God’s throne.
Because the
veil was torn.
veil was torn.
No
separation. No fear. No isolation.
separation. No fear. No isolation.
God is open
and available to us every moment of every day. He is around us and within us.
and available to us every moment of every day. He is around us and within us.
Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the
Most Holy Place by the blood of
Most Holy Place by the blood of
Jesus, by a new and living way opened
for us through the curtain, that is, his body. Hebrews 10:19-20.
for us through the curtain, that is, his body. Hebrews 10:19-20.
I get up in the mornings and I sit, with a hot cup of tea, and I come into the presence of God. I feel His love. I talk to Him and He talks to
me. Throughout the day, I ask for guidance, I send up brief requests
for help, I talk to Him while I’m driving.
me. Throughout the day, I ask for guidance, I send up brief requests
for help, I talk to Him while I’m driving.
This is the miracle of a torn curtain. This is a gift from
Christ’s blood.
Christ’s blood.
We are forgiven. We are cleansed. We are welcome.
How does knowing you can approach God, forgiven and free, bless you?
Photo credits: Bridal Veil Falls, Bride
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4 Comments
Hi, I am Sherry Carter. Nice to meet you!
The Conversation
Amen and amen. Encouraging and uplifting!
The gifts He gives us are amazing, aren't they? Thanks for stopping by, dear friend.
Hallelujah for what the Lord has done for me! Thank for sharing this beautiful post!
His grace is beyond words! Thanks for dropping by, Ann.