Mark 15:37-38

“With a loud cry, Jesus breathed his last. The curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. And when the centurion who stood there in front of Jesus, saw how he died, he said, ‘Surely this man was the Son of God.’”

There was a heavy curtain hung at the front of the temple. This curtain was to separate the Holy God from sinful man. The only time that the separation was allowed to be circumvented was on the Day of Atonement, and it was entered only by the high priest. This was done so that the priest could make a sacrifice to gain forgiveness for the sins of all the people. This was to remind the Israelites that the only way to have access to God was through another person and this was only granted through the physical works of the priest and the sacrificial system. When Jesus died on the cross the curtain was torn by God’s hand, to symbolize that this way of life was in the past. Jesus died for our sins and gave us the ability to have a personal relationship with God. It is only through Jesus’ sacrifice for us that we no longer have to live in the ways of the past. That our future rests in him and his grace and mercy. Who can you share this act of love and mercy with today?

Dear Lord, thank you for your sacrifice and the fact that you so wanted a personal relationship with your creation that you sent your only Son to die for our sins. Help me to remember this and help me to be courageous to share your love and mercy with others. Please forgive me for any sins that I may have and help me to realize what they are. I pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen.