The Torn Curtain

October 7

(Luke 23:44-45 NIV) “It was now about the sixth hour, and darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour, {45} for the sun stopped shining. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two.”

(Exodus 26:33 NIV) “Hang 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.”

(Hebrews 10:19-23 NIV) “Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, {20} by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, {21} and since we have a great priest over the house of God, {22} let 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. {23} Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.”

For a short time, as Jesus hung dying on the cross, darkness appeared to triumph over light. As Christ took upon Himself the sins of the world, the darkness grew bolder, and in a last ditch effort to defeat the light, it asserted itself over nature. Satan may have even claimed victory for a brief moment, as Christ took His last breath. But in that same moment, defeat came when the curtain in the Temple was torn in two. The barrier that separated God’s holy presence from humanity was torn asunder. The dividing wall between God and His people was no more. The sacrifice was complete. The Lamb of God had been slain for the sins of the world. God’s Spirit would no longer dwell behind a curtain in a temple made by human hands. He would now live in the hearts of those covered by the blood of the Lamb. They would be His dwelling place and His temple. Hallelujah! The curtain is gone! -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day