The Torn Veil
Mark 15:38 – And the veil of the temple was torn
in two from the top to the bottom.
The death of Jesus was accompanied by an
exceptionally significant and remarkably unusual occurrence; the veil which
cordoned off the area of the temple known as the Holy of Holies, was torn in
two. According to historians, that veil or curtain, was approximately sixty
feet wide, forty feet high, and four inches thick. This was an extremely heavy
and strong fabric. It would not be possible for any man to tear this veil; only
God, Himself, could have torn it. It is also interesting to note that it was
torn from the top to the bottom, which seems to establish that this was, in
fact, an act of God. Someone has once said that if change does not come from
the top down by revelation, it will come from the bottom up by revolution. In
this case, God Himself, was initiating a dramatic change, from the top down.
The temple was always considered hallowed to the
Jew, but the Holy of Holies was the place of utmost sacredness. There was such
a holy fear and deep reverence about it that the average person would not dare
to ask any questions about its’ mystery. Why was there a veil to begin with? What
lies beyond the veil? Many priests ministered in the holy place, but only one
priest was granted access to the Holy of Holies and that was the High Priest,
and He was only permitted behind that thick curtain once a year on the Day of
Atonement. Even though he was the High Priest and carried a lot of authority,
on that day his authority would not be what protected him; his only safeguard
would be his humility, and so he ventured in with trepidation and great
precaution.
The veil was torn. A tear in any fabric is difficult,
if not impossible, to mend. God was making a statement about the veil; He did
not want man to step in and try to fix it. No! For God knows that when man
attempts to fix things, particularly spiritual things beyond his understanding,
he always makes matters worse. Religion is man’s attempt to fix things, mend
things, and make them right. Religion wants to sew the veil and get back to the
way things were. God, however, wanted a lasting change and He tore the veil for
that reason.
That veil separated men from God’s presence, it
put distance between them. It shrouded man’s understanding of God, thus creating
a distorted view of the True and Living God. When the veil was torn it
symbolized the freedom for all people to draw near and come close to God. It is
as if God was saying, ‘Come, do not be afraid to approach my presence. You do
not have to be anyone special, you do not need a list of credentials, or an
impeccable lifestyle. All can come. All are invited. All are welcome.’
The other exciting thing that the torn veil
illustrates is that not only can men now freely come to God, but God Himself
moved out from behind the heavy curtain. He would no longer be veiled in
mystery because of His choice to allow Himself to be seen in a new light. He
would now be mobile and not limited to a certain place or city. Religion always
insists that specific places are more sacred than others and so we must journey
to those places to benefit. However, in God’s mind, it is not about the
sanctified places as much as it is the sacred faces. Our gracious Father loves and
values people, He longs for relationship.
He tore the veil because that veil only served a
purpose until Jesus died. His death marked the beginning of a new era for
mankind. It inaugurated a new relationship between God and man; indeed, Jesus’
death initiated a completely new creation. There would now be no separation, no
barrier, nor exclusion. It is as if our
Father is saying, ‘It matters not where you have been, nor where you are right
now. I am calling out for you. Like a love-struck man pursuing the woman of his
dreams, I am pursuing you. I will not stop, my love for you is relentless.
Don’t run from me. Slow down, stop, and listen. There is only one other veil
that needs to be torn, and that is the veil in your mind that stops the true
light from entering. I have torn the veil of the old way of doing things, now
you must tear the veil of lies that have kept you from me. Rip the veil of
fears that have blocked me out. Simply whisper the name of Jesus and the inner veil
will be destroyed. The light and warmth of my love and grace will penetrate
your heart and you will see how valuable and precious you are to me. Together
we will walk, full of hope, into a brand-new and fulfilling future.’
