The Curtain's Been Torn

Mark 15:37 "And Jesus uttered a loud cry and breathed his last. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom."

Hebrews 10:19-20 "Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new an dliving way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh"

The curtain that scripture talks about is the curtain that separated the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place, first in the tabernacle and then in the temple. The Most Holy Place was where the High Priest could go in only once a year to make atonement for the sins of the people. It was where the Ark of the Covenant was and where the presence of God rested. To come into the Most Holy Place, into God's direct presence, would mean death if it wasn't done properly. In essence, the curtain represented the separation of God and man because of man's sin.

Jesus changed all of that through his death. Jesus took the penalty for our sin, and when he cried out, "It is finished!" there was no need for the curtain any more...so at his death, it split in two; thus reuniting God and man through the blood and sacrifice of Jesus, God's own Son.

The torn curtain is a tremendous visual reminder that we have direct access to God now through faith in Jesus. There is no need for priest to go to God for us. Jesus himself said that he is the only way to the Father. He has made peace for us where there once was hostility.

That's what is "good" about Good Friday.