The Torn Veil

Luke 23:44-45

There were a vast number of different things happening in the last few hours of Jesus’ life. Only about twelve to fifteen hours passed between the time Jesus was arrested and the time described in our present passage, starting at about noon Thursday. Each of the Gospels record slightly different events, because of their different perspectives. John was the only one who went inside at the trial, so was the only one who could give a first hand account of what he heard. Each of the others had to depend on the different witnesses they interviewed for different aspects.

It is easy to get caught up in the details of Jesus’ actual death and fail to grasp the importance of other events at the same time. I John 5 informs us that there are some specific things that prove Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah or Savior, both in heaven and on earth. I John 5:8 declares, “And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one.” One of the proofs on earth is the Spirit of God working in Jesus’ earthly life, as demonstrated throughout the Gospels. A second proof is the miraculous physical birth, the water. The third is his death, the blood. To be the prophesied Savior, it was essential that Jesus meet the prophecies in each of these areas.

I John 5:13 stresses the importance of these events. “These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.” I John 1:1-4 Describes what John referred to. “That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life; (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and show unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;) That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.”

In many ways, some of the events surrounding Jesus crucifixion are almost as importance as the crucifixion itself, because af what they mean for our spiritual life. Isaiah 53:6 prophesied, “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.” He would accept the guilt for all the sin of all mankind and make it good, As I John 2:2 states, “And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.”

The conclusions by Herod, and by Pilate that Jesus was innocent is crucial as Hebrews 7:24-27 makes clear. “But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood. Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens; Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people's: for this he did once, when he offered up himself.”

Isaiah 59:2 declares, “But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.” Luke 23:44-45 describes God hiding his face from Jesus during this period, because of the load of sin he bore.

“And it was about the sixth hour, and there was a darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour. And the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was rent in the midst.” (Luke 23:44-45)

Hebrews 9:6-14 points out the importance of the rending of the veil in the temple. “Now when these things were thus ordained, the priests went always into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the service of God. But into the second went the high priest alone once every year, not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people: The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing: Which was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience; Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation.

But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?”

All the priests were allowed into the first part of the tabernacle, the Holy place, but only priests. Revelation 1:6 tells us that Jesus has made us priests, qualifying us to enter into heaven, the first room. “And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father;” Only the high priest was allowed into the second room, the Holy of Holies, portraying God’s throne.

Until Jesus died, mankind was limited to a partial relationship with God by sin, as portrayed by the veil. When it ripped, it demonstrated there is no longer any residual sin keeping us away from God. As a result, Hebrews 4:15-16 instructs, “Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”

It is only through Jesus Christ that we have been given access to God’s throne, and this is what is referred to when we pray in Jesus’ name. I Timothy 2:5 declares, “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;” It is by his authority that we pray, and only by his. There is no one else who has authority to intervene for us, but we don’t need anyone, as he has authorized us to go directly to God’s throne ourselves, with the Holy Spirit to serve as our interpreter, so we are understood and our prayers are not offensive to God.