By Cynthia J. Bourne
33 And you shall hang the veil from the clasps. Then you shall bring the ark of the Testimony in there, behind the veil. The veil shall be a divider for you between the holy place and the Most Holy.
Exodus 26:33 (NKJV)
16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Hebrews 4:16 (NKJV)
The curtain or the veil served in the temple to separate the Holy Place from the Most Holy place – the place where the presence of the Lord sat. The veil in Solomon’s temple was 45 feet high and records show the veil to be four inches thick. It was beautifully decorated and the colours represented the four elements from which the world was created – earth, air, fire and water. But with all its beauty and ornateness it was effectively a barrier.
The only persons to gain access beyond the veil was the high priest and he only once a year on the day of atonement. Priests entered the tabernacle, high priest the most holy place, and worshippers the courtyard. For the likes of you and I back then, it may have felt we worshipped a God that was at some distance from us.
But today through the finished work of Jesus, we don’t have to send a representative to speak to God for us. In Matthew 27:50&51 we see recorded that, “Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and yielded up His Spirit.” And what happened next? The 45’ long 4” thick veil was torn in half from top to bottom by the power of God.
Christ had cried out earlier, “It is finished . . .” The work to enable reconciliation with
God had been completed and once again as Adam walked and talked with God in the Garden, so we can go boldly before the Throne of Grace to worship and commune with our creator. We have unrestricted access to confess our sins and to intercede.
What a glorious thing Christ has done!
Ask – Why was the ark behind the veil?
Seek – It’s awesome what Christ has done for us. Spend some time reflecting on what the cross has obtained for us.
Knock – Father God, we thank you for your Son Jesus Christ, who has broken down the middle wall of partition and obtained access, so that all who believe on His name can become sons and daughters – heirs to the promise. Amen
(Upper Photo by Nikola Bikar on Unsplash)
(Inner Photo by Alejandro Morelos on Unsplash)
