Grace Revealed

by Tresa Stewart

November 7, 2010

When Jesus breathed his last breath, something very significant happened.  It was soon forgotten, but it was probably one of the greatest symbols of all time.  “The veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom” (Matthew 27:51).

The temple in Jerusalem was the place where God would come to meet with His people. The temple was divided into two rooms—The Holy Place, and the Most Holy Place.  These two rooms were divided by a veil made of fine linen.  (See Exodus 30:6; Hebrews 9:3.)  The glory of God filled the temple when the presence of God came into the Most Holy Place.  Sinful man (the priest) stood on one side of the veil, and the presence of God resided on the other side of the veil.  The veil served as a shield, to protect man from death.  Without it, sinful man would perish in the presence of God. The veil indicated separation from God, but it was a symbol of mercy. 

When Jesus died, the veil was torn away, exposing man to the Most Holy Place in the temple of God. The torn veil was a symbol of grace.  Imagine the priest standing at the altar of incense offering up a prayer, when suddenly, the veil is ripped in two, right before his very eyes—and he is still alive!   Imagine the priest watching in awe, as the division between the Holy Place and the Most Holy Place is eliminated, and the two rooms merge into one. The priest now stands in the presence of God.  Imagine he starts to cry out...MERCY!  But before the words can leave his lips, the Lord says…Grace!  “My grace is sufficient for thee!”

Jesus died and took away our sins, forever.  The thing that stood between sinful man and Holy God was removed, so the veil was removed.  It was no longer needed. 

As the two rooms in the temple merged together, man was united with God.  Just as the groom removes the veil of his bride and the two become one, God has removed the veil of separation, so that we can become one with Him.  And it happened in the very moment that Jesus “yielded up his spirit” and the veil in the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.

“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).

(To be continued)