The Significance of the Torn Curtain

All four gospels recount the death of Christ, His burial and resurrection that was foretold by the prophets and Jesus Himself. There are many small details that we focus on throughout Holy Week, however I feel we glide over the significance of the Temple curtain torn in two.  Jesus would have worshipped in Herod’s Temple. (approx 20BC -70AD)

 

 

 

SEPARATION BY A CURTAIN

What is the significance of the torn Temple curtain?   The Old Covenant established by God and given to Moses denied direct access to God but provided a way through sacrifices.  God dwelt with His people in the Tabernacle in the wilderness.  Later God dwelt in the temple between the cherubim of the ark of the Covenant but this inner room was further separated by a large curtain. Only once a year the High Priest was given access within the Holy of Holies to present a blood sacrifice to make full (but temporary) atonement for all the people.  First the High Priest had to go through a long process himself to be acceptable to God. If he did not the punishment was instant death.  God is so holy He cannot stand any sin in His presence.  The people had to offer various sacrifices over and over because as humans we keep sinning.

 

JESUS OUR HIGH PRIEST TORE THE CURTAIN

Jesus established a new Covenant or way to access The Father.  The torn curtain signifies that all barriers were broken when he paid the ultimate sacrifice for our sin.  Jew, Gentile, male or female of all nations can come to Him by faith.  Jesus became human to identify with us and understand our feelings and failures.

 

 

Hebrews 4:14–16 (ESV)
Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.
Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Hebrews 6:19–20    We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain,where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.

 

NOW THERE IS NO NEED FOR A CURTAIN

There is no need for a curtain to separate us from God’s holy presence or to offer continual sacrifices any more. Jesus paid  it all, once for all. We are free to come before Him.

Hebrews 9:12   …he entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption.

John 14:6     Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

 

Jesus is the door, the only way to gain access to the Father is through faith in Who He is, His sacrifice for our sin and the power of His resurrection grant us forgiveness and hope for eternity.  Does this mean we can sin and not worry about it?  No, no, no!  Our sins of commission and ommission still break God’s heart.  The only sacrifice He requires now is a sincere and broken spirit for the things we do that do not glorify His Name.  When we confess our wrong doings He will forgive us completely because God looks at us through the lens of Christ on the cross. We need to repent – turn around 180 degrees and walk on the path meant for us.