NO BARRIER
TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
At noon, darkness fell across the whole land until three o’clock. Then at three o’clock Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” which means “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?” Some of the bystanders misunderstood and thought he was calling for the prophet Elijah. One of them ran and filled a sponge with sour wine, holding it up to him on a reed stick so he could drink. “Wait!” he said. “Let’s see whether Elijah comes to take him down!” Then Jesus uttered another loud cry and breathed his last. And the curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. When the Roman officer who stood facing him saw how he had died, he exclaimed, “This man truly was the Son of God!”
Mark 15:33-39 NLT
TODAY’S THOUGHT
Darkness falls on the land! For three hours darkness covered the land. Where did this darkness come from? We can speculate that it might have been caused by a sudden dust-laden wind, or thick clouds, or, more likely, a miraculous solar eclipse. Whatever the cause it would appear to be a cosmic sign of God’s judgment on human sin which was placed on Jesus.
Then Jesus cries out, “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?” Jesus took on Himself our sin. Holy Father God turns away from His Son because the Son of God is now covered with our sin. The Bible tells us that God cannot look on sin (Hab. 1:13). God the Father had to turn away from His Son.
Even in His pain and separation Jesus recognized His relationship with the Father God by stating, “My God, my God.” Jesus knew this was a temporary moment of separation. Jesus knew this was part of the plan of God to redeem all humanity. He knew that He and the Father were one and would be one again.
Mark notes that as Jesus breathed his last breath the curtain in the Temple was torn in two from top to bottom. This was probably the inner curtain of the Temple that separated the holy place from the most holy place (Ex. 26:31-35). This tear would have been witnessed by the priests who would have been preparing the evening sacrifices at this precise time.
The inner curtain was the barrier between man and God. Inside the most holy place was the Ark of the Covenant with the mercy seat and cherubim. The unique presence of God dwelled in the most holy place and only one man, the High Priest, was allowed to enter that most holy place once a year to bring the blood of the Passover lamb as atonement for the sins of the people.
The curtain was torn from top to bottom—indicating God Himself initiated the ripping of the curtain. It was a Heavenly Father Who was declaring the barrier was now removed and anyone and everyone can come into the presence of God. We don’t have to depend on a priest to take our needs before our Heavenly Father. We can go boldly before the throne of grace.
The curtain is open, come to the Father!
TODAY’S PRAYER
Holy Spirit help me today to come into Your presence each day. Forgive me for staying away.
“Scroll down to share what you feel God is saying based on today’s reading.”