As discussed yesterday Jesus died on the cross to pay the price of sin. So what does this mean for us today? Was the cross just a ticket to heaven or does it offer the Christian other privileges? What is Heaven?
“At the sixth hour darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour. And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a load voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?” - which means “My God, My God why have you forsaken me?” Mark 15v33-34
“With a load cry, Jesus breathed his last. The curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.” Mark 15v37-38
In Mark 15 we read about the death of Jesus. The spiritual death he suffered during the hours of darkness as the Son of God was separated from his father because of the sin he bore in our place. As he finally physical died the action suddenly transfers to a temple curtain – why?
“Hang the curtain from the clasps and place the ark of the Testament behind the curtain. The curtain will separate The Holy Place from the Most Holy Place.” Exodus 26v33
In Exodus, the book which tells of the Israelites journey after escaping from Egypt, God gives instructions for the creation of a place of worship which would represent his dwelling place among his people. The ark of the testament contained the law and represented Gods throne room with his people.
“The high priest entered the inner room, and that only once a year, and never without the shedding of Blood, which he offered for himself and for the sins the people had committed in ignorance. The holy spirit was showing us by this that the way into the Most Holy Place had not yet been disclosed as long as the first tabernacle was still standing. This is an illustration for the present time, indicating that the gifts and sacrifices being offered were not able to clear the conscience of the worshipper” Hebrews 9v7-9
In the new testament in the book of Hebrews we read that the way into the Most Holy Place had not yet been disclosed while the first tabernacle was still standing. What does this mean?
“Therefore none will be declared righteous by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin” Romans 3v20
God had made a covenant with Israel that he would dwell with them if they obeyed his law perfectly. However this 'first tabernacle' (see Hebrews reference above) could not stand as the people could not live perfectly by the law.
Part of the purpose of the old testament narrative of the people of Israel repeatedly failing to keep Gods law is to show us that we cannot be saved by obeying the law – we 'all have sinned' (Romans 3v23) and our best efforts fail to reach Gods standard.
When Jesus came on the scene the Jewish leaders of the day had made up there own traditions around the law to try and make it manageable. Jesus exposes the real meaning of the law that God did not just look at outward appearance but at the heart:
“You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 'Do not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgement. But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgement” Matthew 5v21-22
“You have heard that it was said 'Do not commit adultery.' But I tell you that anyone who looks at a women lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart” Matthew 5v27-28
When Jesus opened up the full implications of the law the Jewish leaders saw that no-one could really obey it – even themselves – so they challenged Jesus accusing him of trying to abolish the law.
“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfil them.” Matthew 5v17
Jesus declared that he had come to fulfil the law. Looking back at the temple curtain.....
“When Christ came as high priest of the good things that are already here, he went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not man-made, that is to say, not a part of his creation. He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, having obtained eternal redemption.” Hebrews 9v12
The Most Holy Place represents God throne room. In the temple the high priest entered each year after offering sacrifices for his and the peoples sins. These sacrifices were symbols pointing towards the one perfect sacrifice for sin, that is Gods son Jesus Christ.
So.....Why was the temple curtain torn in two when Jesus died?
Jesus obeyed the law perfectly on earth and when he died in our place on the cross he suffered the penalty our sin deserves. After his death, with the price of sin paid for, the temple curtain – which represented division between God and ourselves because of sin - was ripped in two.
The heart of Christianity is that through Jesus Christ we can have a relationship with God, no longer divided by sin, starting when we believe and are born again and lasting for all eternity.
What does Jesus Resurrection from the dead mean ?
If Jesus paid for our sin on the cross then does that mean Christians can sin as much as they like and still go to heaven?
I'll look at these questions in the coming days......
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