Access God’s Presence Through Jesus
Adapted from Hearing from God Each Morning
And Jesus uttered a loud cry, and breathed out His life. And the curtain [of the Holy of Holies] of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.
When Jesus died, the temple veil that separated the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place was torn from the top to the bottom (Mark 15:37-38).
That opened a way for anyone to go into God's presence. Prior to Jesus' death, only the high priest could go into God's presence and then only once a year with the blood of slain animals, to cover and atone for his sins and the sins of the people.
It is significant that the tear in the veil of the temple was from top to bottom. The veil, or curtain, was so high and so thick that no human could have torn it—it was torn supernaturally by the power of God showing that He was opening a new and living way for His people to approach Him, as we read in today's verse.
From the beginning, God has desired fellowship with man; that was His purpose in creating us. He never wanted to close people off from His presence, but He knew that His holiness was so powerful that it would destroy anything unholy that came near it. Therefore, the way for sinners to be completely cleansed had to be provided prior to man's having access to God's presence.
We are in the world, but we are not to be of the world (John 17:14–6). Our worldliness and earthly ways separate us from God's presence and can keep us from hearing His voice. Unless we are constantly receiving by faith the sacrifice of Jesus' blood to keep us clean, we cannot enjoy intimacy and come into proper fellowship with God.
Prayer of the Day: Lord, thank You for making a way for me to come into Your presence. Help me walk in purity, receive Your grace, and grow closer to You each day, amen.
