What did this Man come to do? – Day 3

Many of us have the habit of closing our curtains to block out curious and criminal eyes when it gets dark.

After the fall of man, a curtain separated God and man. We did not know who God was anymore. God became foggy and vague to us. When the Tabernacle was built, God gave the command that there should be a curtain in his dwelling place, masking the holy of holies sanctuary. God did this to shield his people from his great holiness. The curtain in the Tabernacle, and later in the Temple, was a clear symbol that not all was well between God and man.

Mark is quite sober when he writes about what happened around the death of Jesus. He only states the important facts. If you want to know what the crucifixion of Jesus means, read what Mark writes: When Jesus was deserted by God and died, the curtain or veil in the Temple tore from top to bottom. The priests did not open the curtain or tear it in two, it was as if a mysterious hand from heaven wrenched open the curtain between God and man.

This single fact has great meaning. Now the way to God is open again. Your guilt and mine that blocked the way to God as a curtain, has been paid. Now we can approach God without restraint.

Jesus Himself said that He is the truth and the way. Now that there is a way to God again, the way of forgiveness, a curtain is no longer necessary. God Himself opened the curtains of heaven and says to you and me: Come to me, you may be my child in my presence.