The Easter Holiday of 2019 may be over, but Easter actually lives on each and every day. In light of this, there are a couple of really cool things that happened on that first Easter that rarely get talked about or explained, yet they are very significant. People across the globe at least recognize that Easter is central to our faith because Jesus died and rose again. But do they recognize the true significance of the events which took place, and the true depth of God’s love for them? One very significant event that happened on that day was the tearing or ripping of the temple veil. This amazing occurrence which took place at the very moment that Jesus died, is recorded by Mathew, Mark & Luke.
And Jesus cried out with a loud voice and breathed His last. Then the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom (Mark 15:37-38)
This remarkable wonder of the veil be torn is one of the most profound symbolic actions to ever take place on planet earth. But what was the “veil,” and why is this so significant? The veil was made according to very specific directions which God gave to Moses (see Exodus 26:31-35). Its primary purpose was separation. It was placed in the temple between the Holy Place and the Most Holy Place (also referred to as The Holy of Holies) of the Tabernacle. Within the Most Holy Place was the Ark of the Covenant, where on The Day of Atonement, blood from a sacrificial lamb was sprinkled on the Mercy Seat (the lid on top of the ark) as an atonement for the sins of the people (see Leviticus 16:15-33).
Gods instructions pertaining to the Ark of the Covenant where very specific, for it was known to be the embodiment of God’s presence. Therefore, there were very strict laws which were enforced in the treatment of the ark. Many had died (on the spot) for not following these laws, as the laws enforced the concept of God’s holiness: sinful people couldn’t be in His presence. Only the high priest could enter this inner room to offer the sacrifice, and then only once a year. In fact, other priests would actually tie a rope around his waist in the event he did something wrong and if he died as a result, they could drag him out from behind the curtain since they couldn’t go in and get him and they too would perish. The veil represented the separation of a Holy God from sinful mankind because our sins have separated us from God (Isaiah 59:2). The size and thickness of the curtain ensured that no one would accidentally fall into the Holy of Holies as the veil was 60 feet long, 30 feet wide, and was several inches thick (a hand breadth) and was so massive and heavy that it took 300 priests to manipulate it
The Bible is very specific about the exact time of Jesus’ death. Historians and theologians alike have concluded that it was at the exact time that Jesus was breathing his last breath, Caiaphas, the high priest was in the Holy of Holies about to offer the blood from the sacrificial Passover lamb. But when Jesus said, “ It is finished,” just miles away from Golgotha inside the temple in Jerusalem, an awesome supernatural event occurred. The massive veil that stood before the Holy of Holies was ripped in two from top to bottom. God’s statement was very clear—Jesus had now become the final sacrificial lamb.
This amazing exchange allowed for us two things:
- It was no longer necessary for the high priest to continue making sacrifices year after year for the people. Jesus’ blood had now settled this sin issue forever. His death and shed blood was and is forever more the atonement for our sins. Praise God!
- Every single person now has access to the Father. We can all come confidently to His throne of grace (Heb 4:6). There is no longer a need to go through a priest. We all have equal access to the Father. The Holy of Holies where Gods presence used to be limited to only the priest, and then only once a year, is now available to all of us—at any time or place. This is why the writer of Hebrews 10:19-21 says:
So, friends, we can now—without hesitation—walk right up to God, into “the Holy Place.” Jesus has cleared the way by the blood of his sacrifice, acting as our priest before God. The “curtain” into God’s presence is his body.
The second thing that I wanted to mention about that first Easter is recorded in Matthews Gospel:
The earth shook, and the rocks were split apart. And tombs were opened, and the bodies of many saints who had died were raised. (They came out of the tombs after his resurrection and went into the holy city and appeared to many people.) Matt 27:51-53
This great earthquake which followed the command of Jesus’ shout “It is finished,” split open the boulders which had entombed dead saints. The graveyard would have been close to Jerusalem because after Jesus rose from the dead, those dead saints were also raised from the dead on that Sunday and walked into Jerusalem.
Now I don’t know how you picture this event in your minds eye. It may appear like they were creepy zombies walking around with their arms stretched out. But no, there was a specific purpose for this added feature of God’s amazing display of His love. Who were these people who were also raised from the dead? Why were they selected (meaning it had to have been by design), and what was their purpose?
Apparently, there is a purpose in all this right, otherwise God would not have had it happen. Well, the Bible does not specify who these people were, but only that they were saints. Given the time era and the history of Jerusalem at that time, I have to believe that these saints were actually believers or followers of Jesus Christ and had died before His crucifixion. They would have been raised from the dead much like Jesus’ friend Lazarus, as he came walking out of the tomb (see John 11). How long did they live? We don’t know. Nor do we know how long Lazarus lived. So, we are left with the single question of their purpose in this event. So, we have to look at what they did.
Scripture tells us that after Jesus was resurrected and appeared to many, they too (the raised from the dead saints) walked into Jerusalem where they were recognized by friends, neighbors, and family. Can you imagine that?
What did they say? We don’t know, but I can only imagine the amazement of their loved ones as they sat and talked about God, eternity, and the great exchange that had just taken place through Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross. Once again, God was demonstrating His love through people and for people. We should never underestimate the fact that God uses us as representatives of His love. It’s how He works.
Friends, do you realize how much God loves you? Do you realize how precious you are to Him? And do you realize how much He wants to have an ongoing relationship with you. Yes, with you! Regardless of your past or your current situation, Gods ultimate desire is to be in a love relationship with you. He wants to talk with you and walk with you. It is also His desire to bless you! It’s not merely what you believe, it’s about what or who you are connected to. So many people believe that being a Christian is about what you do and what you don’t do. But that is merely being religious. Caiaphas, the high priest as well as all the other “religious” Jews, couldn’t see beyond their own do’s and don’ts. Caiaphas was standing in front of the wrong alter on that Passover day. He should have recognized Jesus as the Messiah, yet he personally called him a “blasphemer” just days before.
What Jesus accomplished on the cross is the greatest exchange history will ever know. Won’t you put your trust in Him today? His arms are open wide for you, and you have been given direct access to Him. What a game changer!
Blessed by the Best!
Mark
See You in the River 