God's Promise Through the Torn Flesh

Chapter 9
I Invite You into My Presence

So, brothers and sisters, we are completely free to enter the Most Holy Place without fear because of the blood of Jesus' death. We can enter through a new and living way that Jesus opened for us. It leads through the curtain-Christ's body.
(Heb 10:19-20)

To the original readers, those last four words were explosive: "the curtain-Christ's body." According to the writer, the curtain equals Jesus. Hence, whatever happened to the flesh of Jesus happened to the curtain. What happened to his flesh? It was torn. Torn by whips, torn by thorns. Torn by the weight of the cross and the point of the nails. But in the horror of his torn flesh, we find the splendor of the open door...

Jesus hasn't left us with an unapproachable God. Yes, God is holy. Yes, we are sinful. But, yes, yes, yes, Jesus is our mediator. "There is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus" (1 Tim 2:5). Is not a mediator one who "goes between"? Wasn't Jesus the curtain between us and God? And wasn't his flesh torn?...

What did the torn curtain mean? For the Jews it meant no more barrier between them and the Holy of Holies. No more priests to go between them and God. No more animal sacrifices to atone for their sins.

And for us? What did the torn curtain signify for us?

We are welcome to enter into God's presence- any day, any time. God has removed the barrier that separates us from him. The barrier of sin? Down. He has removed the curtain...

Trust the cross. The blood has been spilt and the veil has been split. You are welcome in God's presence.

(Excerpt from He Chose the Nails page 82-85)