Tearing Down the Curtain
A profound spiritual insight is symbolised by the fact that the Jewish Temple’s curtain separating people from God, and hiding the repeated sacrifice for their sins was torn from the top-down on the first Good Friday! The tearing apart of the curtain revealed the Holy Place to the eyes of ordinary people. Religion is now not what humans do, but what God has already done. The way to God was open for all to see, not only for Jews, but for any one of any race at all. Open access for all!
To Jews, the significance could not have been more shocking as it symbolised the forthcoming destruction of the temple. Just hours before His death, Jesus had spoken to His disciples about the future of the magnificent Temple built by Herod the Great. Matthew 24:1–2 “Jesus left the temple and was walking away when his disciples came up to him to call his attention to its buildings. “Do you see all these things?” Jesus asked. “I tell you the truth, not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.”
The Romans under General Titus destroyed the Temple in 70 AD. The Jews have lamented this ever since. Jews today pray daily at the base of the Temple Wall, for the construction of a fourth Temple. Christians believe that at the end of time, in the Heavenly Jerusalem, there will be no Temple either. For Jesus Himself is the New Temple, the meeting place of God and man. Hence, the old Temple and all its activities are obsolete. The torn Temple veil is a sign of the Temple’s impending destruction — destruction conceived not as a historical fact but as a theological necessity. For Jesus establishes this New Covenant in His blood. The Old Covenant of Moses, with its Temple, its sacrifices and animals’ blood was now obsolete.
Jesus had said the night before when they broke bread together. 26:26–29 “Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.” He was the Lamb of God who would take away the sins of the world, washing them in His blood.
The tearing of the outer veil or Temple curtain signifies the obsolescence of the temple, its ritual and meaning. The tearing of the Temple veil signified that the work of the Cross is finished. The injustice of the Cross reveals God’s grace; the cost of the Cross reveals Christ’s atonement; the effect of the Cross reveals our redemption; and the hope of the Cross reveals the creation’s sanctification.
The separation between God and everything has been ended. Forgiveness of sins is possible. Eternal life is in prospect. New life is possible! All we must do is receive Jesus Christ by faith. The Temple curtains have been torn down! That is part of the Great Easter Message!
Rev The Hon. Dr Gordon Moyes, A.C., M.L.C.