If you leave your house right now, you’re probably wearing a mask. Whether it’s a generous friend’s scrap fabric, an old bandana, cotton scarf, or super-rare N95, your mask is going with you. It lets the general public perform essential tasks without catching or spreading disease. For medical professionals, it’s often a matter of life or death.
The curtain separating the Holy of Holies did a lot more than block coughs and sneezes. It effectively sealed off a spiritually sterile environment before God. God is so holy that he cannot be in the presence of sin. Drawing near to him without the proper washing, sacrifice, and attire would mean immediate death. Only one priest could lift the purple and blue cherubim-covered curtain one day a year to stand in the Almighty’s presence.
The curtain actually separated us in order to bring us near to God. God didn’t have to choose any people but he did. He chose a people and dwelled in their midst. He set up every requirement to make this nearness possible, but we failed. Generation after generation violated his covenant until our messiah came for us. Jesus lived a perfect life and earned access to His father by his own merit.
As Jesus hung on the cross, Luke 23:44-45 says, “It was now about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour, while the sun’s light failed. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two.”
Just as the light of the world was dimming, a new covenant dawned. The curtain split. What did it sound like, the ripping and tearing away of that centuries-old veil?
Christ’s death may have split the curtain, but the Almighty’s holiness didn’t diminish one ounce. We still can’t come before the throne without being perfect. We dare not approach him without the proper attire, sacrifice, and washing. But now we have a High Priest! The Son’s blood covers us, washes us and makes us holy to stand in his presence — not just one day a year but for all eternity. We come near to God under the covering of Christ.
Hebrews 10:19 says, “Since we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain….”
Then the writer of Hebrews explains five ways the torn curtain stitches us together as the children of God:
- We draw near to God: ” with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean” (10:22). In Christ, we are made clean. The lamb met every requirement on our behalf. We have assurance of our throne-approaching status!
. - We have a rock-solid confession. “Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope” (Hebrews 10:23). This verse does NOT say we “hold on to hope.” It says we hold to our confession! Your hope is only as strong as your confession. Our confession is Jesus and the result is hope because “he who promised is faithful.”
. - We draw near to each other: “not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some” (10:25). The torn curtain and our gathering together appear in the same passage and are intimately connected. We cannot neglect to meet. This is hard enough when we can actually go to church, but even harder in this season of pandemic. Still we need each other. I miss my new church so much, but even a phone call/zoom/text is enough to reconnect me to the body. Fight for your nearness with one another. That torn curtain didn’t just grant your access as an individual, but made you part of a mighty kingdom of priests. God can connect us to one another in the season in a supernatural way. Even as you watch an Easter service tomorrow in your home, the Holy Spirit is drawing us close.
. - We draw near and stir up one another: Hebrews 10:24 says, “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works.” We stir each other up to good works AND to love! Our nearness to God forges this relationship to our brothers and sisters in Christ. How are you being stirred up to love more? How is the body stirring you up to good works?
. - Encouraging one another (verse 25): Last week, one of our elders’ wives led our weekly women’s live stream and I cried almost the whole time. I’m often used to being the encourager, but the Lord had a word for me through her that was so refreshing. Don’t underestimate the power of your encouragement. And allow yourself to be encouraged. We need each other.
His death tore the temple curtain for us. The lamb who was slain made a way for us to be holy once and for all. He made a way for us to draw near to God and to one another for all eternity. Glory to Jesus; It is finished.