A Time to Tear, A Time to Mend

Today’s post is an excerpt of chapter 12 of my book, Newness of Life.

To me the most powerful Bible story of a time to tear happened on the day of Jesus’ crucifixion.  Three of the gospel accounts feature this detail:

 It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon, for the sun stopped shining. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two.  Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” When he had said this, he breathed his last.    Luke 23:44-46

The curtain of the temple separated the Most Holy Place from the Holy Place.  The high priest entered the Most Holy Place once per year, on the Day of Atonement, to make a sacrifice for the sins of all the people.  No one could enter this area except the high priest.  He had to follow many regulations before entering upon risk of death.  The Most Holy Place was essentially cut off from God’s people, a no-access area.

A Time to Tear

When Jesus died, the thick, heavy curtain was torn from top to bottom, as Matthew records.  Why top to bottom?  Because it was God’s time to tear.  He came down to us through Jesus, and made Himself fully accessible through Jesus’ once-and-for-all sacrifice.

Have you ever felt like God was far away?  That you couldn’t approach Him without jumping through hoops or walking on eggshells?  That God may strike you down for not being good enough, smart enough, or holy enough?

Because the curtain was torn, we don’t have to perform any rituals to earn God’s favor anymore.  We don’t have to keep track of how many servant events we attend. No need to mentally check off the times we attend church or the donations we send to charities.  We don’t have to rack up shelves of Bible studies and wear crosses around our necks to prove our commitment to God.

A Time to Mend

The book of Hebrews paints a beautiful picture of how Jesus is now a high priest on our behalf.  I love how these verses speak of the curtain:

We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where our forerunner, Jesus, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever.  Hebrews 6:19-20

Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings.  Hebrews 10:19-22

Because God chose a time to tear His own Son, we have hope, confidence, assurance, and faith.  Our hearts are mended and reconciled to Him.  If you live out your seasons with this knowledge, you will gain the peace, joy, and love your heart seeks, and your trust in God’s timing will be strong.  And no one will pay attention to your mended seams; they will see the rivers of life running through you instead.

Questions for reflection:

What does the tearing of the temple curtain mean to you?

How can you accept God’s unveiled grace in your life this week?

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