Jesus was betrayed by his friend, arrested in the middle of a prayer, tried in a mock trial, tortured in front of His mother, and nailed to a tree that He created. While suspended above the crowd, blood dripping down His brow, his breath slowed down. He pushed past the pain to muster up just enough strength to shout in agony.
His head dropped as darkness eclipsed the city. The King of the Universe died before everyone’s eyes. Jesus could have stopped it. He could have teleported or time traveled. He could have summoned a legion of angels. He could have turned his torturers into toads. These were all possible, but He persisted. Why did He let himself die? Because of what happens next.
Mark shares that, “The curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom” (15:28). Why did he think this was important to point out? What does an ancient piece of fabric have to do with anything? It wasn’t like a little window curtain you’d find at a department store. This thing was the Cadillac of curtains. Measuring nearly four stories tall and sixty feet wide, this mammoth cloth was nearly impossible to damage — let alone rip apart. Due to the inner-woven fabric, it weighed as much as a couple of elephants.
This curtain separated the temple’s public-parts from the private Holy of Holies section. The veil acted as an unbreakable barricade. Only the High Priests could enter into the back room of the temple. It was believed that priests and prophets encountered the presence of God in that sacred space.
Mark marvels at the fact that the curtain tore from top to bottom. It’s like God the Father ripping up your death certificate. Now, nothing can separate us from God — not even death. When the veil was shredded, so was every obstacle between you and God. The presence of God used to be considered distant and unapproachable. Not any more.
Thanks to the unifying work of Jesus, we can personally connect with the presence of God anytime and anywhere. Jesus obliterated the barrier. There is no more curtain. You experience God’s presence today, tomorrow, and for eternity.