The Veil!

Recently, I was watching the Passion of the Christ (you know the one directed by crazy Mel Gibson). I watch it every year on or around Good or Holy Friday. Anyways, I was watching it and again in the movie it came to my favorite part of the crucifixion scene. It is right after Jesus cries out for the second time saying "Father, into your hands I commit my Spirit" and he dies, the Bible states in Matthew 27:50-51

50 “And Jesus cried again with a loud voice and gave up His Spirit. 51 and at once the curtain of sanctuary of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; the earth shook and the rocks were split." (Matthew 27:50-51)

I started to think about the veil and where it came from and what its purpose was. I wondered how thick this veil was. So I did some digging. In Exodus 26:31 we read for the first time what God had in mind when He first came up with its design.

33 “and you shall hang the veil form the clasps and bring the ark of the Testimony into place withing the veil; and the veil shall separate for you the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place. (Exd. 26:31)

In this verse is an 8 letter word that is only sthe cariest in the Bible: SEPARATE. "It shall separate for you" I remember has a child (I was maybe 6 or 7) I used to go shopping with my mom and she would be looking for something for herself. I would start hiding in the clothing rack because that is what little bored boys do. Of course the inevitable happened. I lost track of where I was or where my mother was and I would panic. I started running up and down the aisles looking for her. I was separated from her. This is what we received from our first parents (Adam & Eve). I call it a gift of separation.

Once they (Adam & Eve) realized they were naked they tried to cover themselves up or separate themselves from each other and God's judgement and wrath.

Finally, God has to put something that will separate us (sinful man) and Him (Holiest of Holy). Otherwise we would be consumed within seconds of coming before His throne.

"The wages of sin is death..."

So God gives Moses the plan to make sure that this doesn't happen. God tells Moses to hang a veil between the Holy Place and the Most Holy Place. I have read that there is a note in The Ryrie Study Bible that expounds on the veil and states:

"Josephus reported that the veil was four inches thick, was renewed every year, and that horses tied to each side could not pull it apart. It bared all but the High Priest from the presence of God..."

When Jesus cried out "it is finished" He was saying "No more separation, no more hiding, no more not knowing where we (humans) are" We are free from hiding, separation, sin, and death. What mighty horses, countless spotless lambs, and numerous High priests were unable to do... Jesus did with three words "IT IS FINISHED"

So if you find yourself trying restitch the veil because you have missed the mark or messed up, please put the needle and thread down... Jesus has already won... There are no more victories to be won. If Jesus is victorious and I am found in Jesus then

I AM VICTORIOUS (I wanted that to sound like a great warrior). Honestly, you don't have to struggle anymore. You cannot hide yourself or things that you have done from God... Jesus won't allow you too, because if you could then His death, the cross, and whipping was for nothing! We can't trick God into forgiving us of sins... Jesus did it willingly! I am grateful! I hope you have had a wonderful Easter...