The Curtain was Torn

Scripture Reading: Matthew 27:51

And behold, the curtain of the Temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. 15 words in this English translation. 15 words, about which, volumes could be written. Matthew leaves it to us to explain what this meant. Later on, the writer of Hebrews confirms what we are thinking.

The curtain Matthew is referring to is the veil of the Temple that separated the Holy of Holies from the Holy Place. It hid, as it were, the visible glory of God from the priests and the people. It was, in some sense, a protective measure. After all, no one can look upon God and live. God is holy and we are not.

The only person allowed past the veil and into the Presence was the High Priest and he could only come once a year. It was only on that Day of Atonement that he alone was allowed to enter, and he had to come after intense preparation and with great specificity. This was no casual saunter in with a “Hey God, what’s happening” spirit. He came in with fear and trembling, honored to come, but hoping to escape with his life.

Never once was a common, everyday, working-class kind of Jew allowed in. Certainly, no women or Gentiles were allowed. Over a span of 40 years, there would have been only 40 men allowed in. Out of the thousands of earth’s inhabitants, just 40.

 But the moment Jesus died this strange thing happened. That veil was torn. By the way, this was no sheer, lacy, thin, moth-eaten cloth hanging there. It was thick and heavy. So thick that even men who go around tearing phone books in half wouldn’t have been up to the task of tearing that veil. A man didn’t do it. A man couldn’t do it.

To make sure we understand that point, Matthew was careful to include in those 15 words the explanation that the curtain was torn from top to bottom and not the other way around. Why is that important? Tell me God did it without saying that God did it. If you wanted to, this is how you would do it.

Why would God tear asunder that curtain He had commanded Israel to make and hang in that place? We see the connection between its being torn and Christ’s death. The one immediately proceeded the other.

What does it mean? You’ve probably already surmised the answer to that question. It means the way into the Holy Place is now opened through the death of God’s Son, Jesus Christ. The writer of Hebrews now encourages us to “with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:16)