Issue 1581 – Seven Sayings – Part Thirteen – October 23, 2024
Good morning.
Yesterday, we started to look at the seventh of the seven sayings, “The Word of Contentment,” and got off on a bit of a rabbit trail considering the darkened sky and the dead raised. I want to touch on the tearing of the temple curtain, and then we will return to Jesus’ words.
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. Then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!” And having said this he breathed his last. Luke 23:44-46
Matthew records the torn veil … “And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom.” Matthew 27:51
It’s a familiar account if you are a Christian. Ancient rabbinic sources record that the veil was a massive woven curtain 60 feet by 30 feet in size, and even moving it was a big undertaking. According to some records, it took 300 priests to move it.
The curtain was as thick as a handbreadth (four to six inches). Josephus records that two horses could not pull the curtain apart (although sometimes he has been accused of stretching the evidence somewhat in his “histories”).
It was a significant feat to pull the curtain in half. We aren’t discussing your living room drapes or a big stage curtain. As an experiment, I tried to rip a hand-woven wool sock in half, but I couldn’t budge it. I can’t imagine the force required to tear the curtain.
This woven blue, purple, and scarlet curtain separated the Holy of Holies (the most holy place) from the rest of the temple. Even the High Priest could only enter there, and then only one day a year (Day of Atonement). It was considered the dwelling place of God, and at times, when the people of Israel had the tabernacle, the glory of God was known to be there.
The temple veil was a physical reminder of the barrier between the sinfulness of humanity and the holiness of God. The gap between the profane and the pure is impenetrable, at least before Christ came to cover us with His righteousness.
The tearing of the veil, the barrier, symbolizes the removal of the gap. Through Christ, people could now approach the throne of grace and mercy.
What is not as well known is that there was also reportedly a second curtain separating the Gentiles’ court from the Temple. Mathew does not tell us which of the curtains was torn.
It is most likely the curtain that separated the Holy of Holies from the rest of the temple, but the event’s significance is incredible, even if it were the other curtain. It means that the Gentiles could enter into something else made possible by the death of Jesus.
As we have seen over the past two days, incredible supernatural signs have accompanied Jesus’ suffering. Let’s move back to His final words …
I will use a combination of the two gospel accounts to simplify things. My reconstruction may not be entirely accurate (always refer back to the original texts), but it captures the essence.
Jesus said, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit. It is finished. Bowing His head, He breathed His last.”
After crying out about being forsaken by God, we see a transition in these words. Once forsaken as he takes on the sin of the world, Jesus is reconciled to the Father.
Father … what an incredible word. It was used by Jesus many times. I don’t think it is coincidental that Jesus first recorded words were to his parents when he lagged at the temple at age 12 … And he said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” (Luke 2:49). His first and final words speak of the Father.
He has always been the Father of Christ. God is the Father in the most complete, perfect sense. With what Jesus accomplished on the cross, God is our Father, too. He was our creator and Lord from before the beginning of time, but He becomes our Father in a very real sense when we are born again of the Spirit.
For now, I will leave you marveling at God as your Father. Tomorrow, we will continue with Jesus’ words.
Be blessed
Hallelu Yah / Praise God
Kevin
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