And when the sixth hour had come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour. And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” And some of the bystanders hearing it said, “Behold, he is calling Elijah.” And someone ran and filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on a reed and gave it to him to drink, saying, “Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to take him down.” And Jesus uttered a loud cry and breathed his last. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. And when the centurion, who stood facing him, saw that in this way he breathed his last, he said, “Truly this man was the Son of God!” (Mark 15:33-39 ESV).
The reading today describes one of my favorite pictures of our redemption. In the ancient temple of the Lord in Jerusalem, there was a curtain, embroidered with angels, which separated the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place. The Most Holy Place became the dwelling place of God among his people. Only the high priest could go behind the curtain and enter into that place. There he could offer atonement for the sins of the people, once a year. This taught the people that God is holy and that sinful people cannot stand in God’s presence. The curtain of the temple symbolized the separation between the holy God and sinful people. And if anyone violated this practice, they would die.
When Jesus died to atone for our sin, however, he cried out, “It is finished” (John 19:30); and, the curtain separating the people from God was torn in two. Jesus’ death on the cross accomplished everything necessary for our salvation. He became the ultimate High Priest for us, and his finished work reconciled us with God. Because of Jesus, the Spirit of God now comes to live in our hearts, making us his temple. So we who were once “without hope and without God in the world… who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ” (Ephesians 2:12-13). We have new life and the power of Christ by the Holy Spirit to live for God each day.
What I could never do, Jesus did. What I could never pay, Jesus paid. That which I deserved as a penalty for my sin, Jesus took on Himself. Perhaps best of all, Jesus’ sacrifice gives me access into the presence of God anytime and anywhere. I wonder if you are taking advantage of this great amazing gift? You are not in this struggle alone!