“And Jesus uttered a loud cry and breathed his last. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom.”
– Mark 15:37-38
Main Thought: In this account of Jesus’ crucifixion, we find Him in the last moments of His death on the cross. He had already uttered His seven sayings upon the cross, including His great statement “It is finished” indicating that the payment to God the Father was now paid and the Father was satisfied. Upon taking his last breath, we are told that the curtain in the temple, the curtain which separated men from the Holy of Holies, was torn from top to bottom. There are several significant things to note in these two verses. First, in the taking of his last breath on the cross, we see the authority and condescension of Christ in giving up his physical life. In John 10:17-18 he said “I lay down my life that I may take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again” Jesus by his own authority and for the purpose of our redemption, laid down His life. Second, we see in the tearing of the curtain that it is God himself who tore the curtain. It is evident that God tore the curtain, for it was an inches thick curtain that could not be torn except by a team of horses, and it was torn from the top, not from the bottom, indicating that God did this, not man. Thirdly, God’s tearing of the curtain indicated that He was satisfied with the payment made for our sins by the Son and that nothing now separated us from coming into His presence in the Holy of Holies in heaven. In Hebrews 10:19-20 we are told, “We have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh.” We are able, we have a blood-bought privilege now to enter into the presence of God because of the blood shed by Christ and are no longer separated from the presence of a holy God. May we ponder upon these truths, and rejoice that our Savior was willing, and by His own authority, laid down His life to pay for our sins, to pay for our redemption, and give us a right standing with God the Father and the privilege of coming into His holy presence. May we bow our hearts and submit ourselves to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for such great love and condescension.
David Webber
David Webber is married to Mary with four children and four grandchildren, and serves as the Pastor of Faith Baptist Church in Longview, TX. He obtained a BS in History from the University of Texas at Tyler, TX, and pursued studies at Baptist Missionary Association Theological Seminary in Jacksonville, TX. Throughout his ministry, he has been an invited preacher and educator in numerous churches and various Bible conferences. Surrendering to the gospel ministry’s calling in 1972 at the age of 16, he received preaching licensure from Little Flock Baptist Church in Longview, Texas, in 1974. Graduating with a Bachelor of Science Degree in History from the University of Texas at Tyler in 1978, he was ordained in December of 1980 by Faith Baptist Church. Following this, he contributed his services to Faith Baptist in Longview and subsequently engaged with Grace Baptist Church in Tyler, Texas, where he instructed Sunday School and delivered sermons as needed. In February of 1994, Faith Baptist invited him to lead as their pastor, a role he has faithfully held to the present day. David writes a blog for the church website and is a writer for The Art of Worship.
More from David Webber
2 Corinthians 8:9
“For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich.” – 2 Corinthians 8:9
Job 14:1-2
“Man who is born of a woman is few of days and full of trouble. He comes out like a flower and withers; he flees like a shadow and continues not.” – Job 14:1-2
1 Corinthians 1:30-31
“And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, so that, as it is written, ‘Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.” – 1 Corinthians 1:30-31
Proverbs 28:13
“Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will have mercy.” – Proverbs 28:13
Psalm 119:41-42
“Let your steadfast love come to me, O LORD, your salvation according to your promise; then shall I have an answer for him who taunts me.” – Psalm 119:41-42
Psalm 86:9
“All the nations you have made shall come and worship before you, O Lord, and shall glorify your name.” – Psalm 86:9 (ESV)
2 Corinthians 4:3-4
“And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.” – 2 Corinthians 4:3-4 (ESV)