Good Friday – The Curtain

Last Easter on Good Friday, I shared a short devotion in church. Here’s a summary of what I shared. 

Today, we are thinking about the crucifixion of our Lord Jesus. 

Mark 15:37-38 With a loud cry, Jesus breathed his last. And the curtain [of the Holy of Holies] of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. 

Matthew 27:50-51 And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit. At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. 

I think we need to know a bit more about this curtain. Let’s read the Lord’s instructions to Moses about the curtain. 

Exodus 26:33 Hang the curtain from the clasps and place the ark of the covenant law behind the curtain. The curtain will separate the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place. 

The curtain separated the Holy Place from the Holy of Holies (the Most Holy Place, where God dwelt). Only the high priest was permitted to enter the Holy of Holies, and then only once a year with accompanying sacrifices (lots of sacrifices!).   

The curtain was about 18m (60ft) high and 9cm thick. There was no way that anyone could get into the Holy of Holies, where God was. 

Hebrews chapter 10 explains to us the significance of the tearing of the curtain: 

By the blood of Jesus, we have free and confident access to enter the Holy of Holies constantly. Every day. 24 hours a day. 

Note that it was ‘at that moment’ when Jesus died that the curtain was torn in two. It was Jesus’s death, which we are celebrating today, that made it possible. 

Also notice one more thing: the curtain was torn from top to bottom – God tore it! And it was torn in two. Completely removed once and for all. Thank you, Jesus! 

So, let’s celebrate this day with confidence, gratitude and praise. 

Hebrews 10:19-22 Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have full freedom and confidence to enter into the Holy of Holies [by the power and virtue] in the blood of Jesus, by this fresh (new) and living way which He initiated and dedicated and opened for us through the separating curtain (veil of the Holy of Holies), that is, through His flesh, opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God [Jesus], let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.