I Tell You The TRUTH,

The Cross of Christ is unlike any other cross which any man in history has suffered through. The more I study the Cross of Christ, the more fascinating it gets. So much happened beyond the simple story of Jesus being crucified. So many little details are put in the scripture for a real purpose. Today, I want to focus on one little verse in the Good News of Mark…

Mark 15:

37With a loud cry, Jesus breathed his last.

38The curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. 39And when the centurion, who stood there in front of Jesus, heard his cry and saw how he died, he said, "Surely this man was the Son of God!"

I've always found it strange that this account of Jesus' death tells of Him breathing his last and then jumps to the temple curtain being torn from top to bottom. What is the significance of this temple curtain? Why was the fact drawn into this particular scripture? And what did it have to do with the centurion coming to understand that Christ is the Son of God?

OK, I'm waiting for an answer?

Just kidding, I already have the answer (as if you didn't know!). First of all, it's very plausible that this centurion, or Roman soldier, had been stationed there near Golgotha for some time and had been around the temples to hear the old stories about the Jewish past. Perhaps he had heard about the Ark of the Covenant and the instructions Moses had given about the placement of the ark. Perhaps he had heard this scripture recited before…

Exodus 26:

31"Make a curtain of blue, purple and scarlet yarn and finely twisted linen, with cherubim worked into it by a skilled craftsman. 32Hang it with gold hooks on four posts of acacia wood overlaid with gold and standing on four silver bases. 33Hang the curtain from the clasps and place the ark of the Testimony behind the curtain. The curtain will separate the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place.

The curtain was made in a specific way for a specific purpose. Most importantly, the curtain separated the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place. Most Jews, once they were cleansed, could enter into the Holy Place, but only one person was ever allowed to enter the Most Holy Place where the Ark was kept. The High Priest was allowed to enter once a year into the Most Holy Place. Any one else at any other time would die instantly upon entering the Most Holy Place.

The great barrier between God and man was torn from top to bottom when Jesus gave up his last breath. The true High Priest provided us a way to gain a personal relationship with the God of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Joseph. Man could now go directly to God without any intermediary. We can now be cleansed of our sins by professing directly to the ear of God without the need of confessing to a human priest. And this is the explanation for what was written in Hebrews concerning the curtain…

Hebrews 1:

19Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, 20by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, 21and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. 23Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. 24And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. 25Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another--and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

What privileges you and I share in the fact that we not only can enter the Most Holy Place but also have a great priest dwell within us. My, what the children of Israel would give to be able to enter the Most Holy Place, yet today they have the same opportunity that you and I have.

Don't let the day go by without thanking Jesus for His sacrifice, for tearing down the barrier between man and God, for giving us such a personal and direct relationship with the true God of creation. Thank Him for removing the guilt and washing us with the Living Water. Thank Him for the approaching Day when you and I will truly follow Christ and rise from the tomb with a new and perfect body and live in the presence of God Himself.

Easter week is a special time of reflection. I encourage you to look at the Cross of Christ a little different this year. Study it from all angles. Look upon it in wonder and amazement. Contemplate the deeper things of Easter and draw closer to the One who gave it meaning.

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