Jesus cried again with a loud voice, and yielded up his spirit. Behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from the top to the bottom. The earth quaked and the rocks were split. Matthew 27:50 WEBUnder the old covenant, the high priest entered the Holy of Holies in the temple, where the manifest presence of God dwelt, once a year on Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement.
There was a thick veil (curtain) that the high priest had to pass through to do this. Early Jewish tradition states that the outer veil was as thick as a man's hand (about four inches), sixty feet high, thirty feet wide, and so heavy that it took three-hundred priests to manipulate it. The curtain was renewed each year, and was said to be strong enough that if horses were tied to each side of it, they could not pull it apart.
The 'Holy of Holies' where the Ark of the Covenant rested was a perfect cube. It's height, width, and length were about fifteen feet. The inner veil that covered the 'Holy of Holies' was over three feet thick with many layers and formed a maze that the high priest walked through.
The veil was a barrier between sinful man and a Holy God. If someone had stumbled in there unprepared, they would have fallen dead in His presence. The manifest presence of God was shielded from mankind by this thick curtain, the veil. Only once a year, after careful preparation, the high priest entered the Holy of Holies to make atonement for the sins of the people.
When Jesus was crucified, the veil in the temple was torn in two, from the top to the bottom. God reached down and simply tore it open. This made the way for us to enter directly into the Lord's manifest presence. Jesus atoned for our sin. We can now enter into the Lord's presence wherever we are. In a hospital, in prison, or at home, the Lord's door is now open for those that want it. The sin that once separated us from God's presence, is now atoned for by the perfect sacrifice of Jesus and those who were once forbidden, are now welcome.
Prayer: Heavenly Father I pray that I experience more of Your presence in my life. Help me walk closely with You, and live a life that is pleasing to You, in the name of Jesus Christ I pray.Note: "if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land." (2 Chron 7:14). If you have a prayer need, we are here for you! We and the prayer team are ready to lift you up at our private prayer page:
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