Let Us Draw Near
Matthew 27 gives us the account of the crucifixion of Jesus. He hung on the cross from the sixth hour to the ninth hour which was 12:00 noon to 3:00 p.m. and darkness came over all the land. Jon Courson writes in his commentary, The Greek word translated "land" is ge, from which we get our word "geography." It means "earth." In other words, the whole world was blanketed with darkness. As you study literature and mythology, you find that a three-hour darkness is referred to in virtually every culture. At Jesus' birth a star shone over the manger and light flooded the sky. At His death, darkness covers the earth because when man rejects the Light of the world, darkness covers the world."
Jesus cried with a loud voice and gave up his spirit and at that moment the veil in the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. Some Bible scholars say this was not a vertical tear but a diagonal tear. The instructions for making the veil are given in Exodus 26:31-33. The veil that was torn hung in Herod's Temple which he built to placate the Jews so we don't know the exact construction. But the Jewish historian, Josephus, writes that this veil was four inches thick and that horses tied to each side could not pull the veil apart. It as truly a miraculous happening. When it was torn it left the Most Holy Place exposed to everyone. In worship in the tabernacle of Moses and in the Temple, only the High Priest could enter the Most Holy Place past this veil, and that only once each year on the Day of Atonement. He had to undergo a thorough ritual cleansing. If someone entered the Most Holy Place with uncleanness they would have been struck dead. So as a precaution when the High Priest did enter the Most Holy Place he had a rope tied around his waist so he could be pulled out without anyone having to enter.
The ripping of the veil symbolized the tearing of the body of Jesus as he hung on the cross. When Jesus died he opened up the way into the Most Holy Place for everyone. (See Hebrews 9 and 10). We now can approach God with freedom and confidence. (Eph. 3:12). Heb. 10:19 says that we can boldly enter into the Most holy Place with confidence by a new and living way open for us through the curtain that is his body. The new Living Bible words it this way: "We can boldly enter heaven's Most Holy Place because of the blood of Jesus. This is the new, living way that Christ has opened up for us through the sacred curtain by means of his death for us."
Historians tell us the Jews got busy and repaired the veil and hung it back up, ignoring the miracle of its tearing and the sacrifice Jesus made. They continued temple worship until 70 AD when Jerusalem and the temple were destroyed.
But what do we do with this open way into the Most Holy Place? Since we can enter so freely, do we take advantage of that privilege? Paul, in Heb. 10:22, says "Les us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith." NLB version: "Let us go right into the presence of God, with true hearts fully trusting him." Jesus went through an awful lot to obtain this privilege for us. Shouldn't we take advantage of it more than we do? I am glad I don't have to wait for a priest to go into the Most Holy Place for me (and that only once a year!!) I can enter anytime into God's presence, call upon him any time, any place. I would be in pretty sad shape if I couldn't call on him for help when waves of grief descend on me while I'm driving my car, or walking from the bus to the hospital where I work. I can communicate with Him after crawling into bed, feeling so alone. How awesome that He can be the last person I talk to before falling asleep.
I hope this little study prompts you to draw near to God a little more often.
Tomorrows Bible Reading - Genesis 29, Matthew 28, Esther 5, Acts 28
God is good all the time,
Naomi Brinkman
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