August 27
Mark 15:38-41
Remember the invisible barrier that I talked about yesterday? It's the sin that separates us from God. Well, before Jesus' death that barrier wasn't so invisible. In fact it was symbolized in the form of a curtain in the temple. The curtain separated the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place. "For inside of the Tabernacle, make a curtain of finely woven linen. Decorate it with blue, purple, and scarlet thread and with skillfully embroidered cherubim. Hang this curtain on gold hooks attached to four posts of acacia wood. Overlay the posts with gold, and set them in four silver bases. Hang the inner curtain from clasps, and put the Ark of the Covenant in the room behind it. This curtain will separate the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place." (Exodus 26:31-33 NLT) The Most Holy Place was the inner room that represented God's presence. So, the curtain really was the symbol of our separation from God. When Jesus died, that curtain was ripped in two. Jesus' death took away the barrier, and made a way for us to have a relationship with God. "And so, dear brothers and sisters, we can boldly enter heaven's Most Holy Place because of the blood of Jesus. By his death, Jesus opened a new and life-giving way through the curtain to the Most Holy Place. And since we have a great High Priest who rules over God's house, let us go right into the presence of God with sincere hearts fully trusting him. For our guilty consciences have been sprinkled with Christ's blood to make us clean, and our bodies have been washed with pure water." (Hebrews 10:19-22 NLT)
Principle: Jesus' death on the cross opened the way for all who believe in Him to have intimate fellowship with God.
Application:
1. Do I remember to give thanks because Jesus gave Himself in order that I might have access to God?
2. What will I do to bring others face-to-face with Jesus so He can draw them to Himself?
3. What can I do to minister in Jesus' name?
Here we see two witnesses to the claim that Jesus is the Son of God. First the thick, heavy, tall curtain in the temple is torn "from top to bottom." Tearing this curtain from bottom to top is something man could do. But only God could tear it from top to bottom. So God Himself is the first witness to the identity of Jesus. The second witness is the Roman soldier. Having observed Jesus on the cross, and the amazing difference between what Jesus did compared to all the other men he helped crucify, he boldly professed his conclusion that Jesus is "the Son of God." The third witness...well that is supposed to be...ME! And all of us who know Him! Lord, let me be a faithful third witness to a world that does not know You.
ReplyDeleteI love the symbolism of the torn curtain. The curtain wasn't just lifted up or gently pulled aside. It was ripped from top to bottom. Jesus didn't just open the door for us. He kicked it in.
ReplyDeleteFirst I want to thank you for praying for me and my family. My brother, who is not saved is Bill French. My Mom, Sylvia, seems to be rebounding and is much better this morning. This trip to Ct. is more important than I first realized. Bill will see God in action, no doubt about it.
ReplyDeleteAfter reading your post today Bro. John, your prayer "let me be a faithful third witness to a world that does not know You." reminds me that every time I take part in any aspect of witnessing to someone, that someone is somebody's relative who loves them dearly. You all are a blessing to me; I pray I can be a blessing to others.
How thankful I am to have direct access to God. I don't have to confess my sins to another sinful person. I don't have to wait until I get to the church. Constant, instant access. Thank you God for loving me so much that you sent Jesus to take the punishment for my sin.
ReplyDelete