Mid-Week Encouragement

Over the past few weeks I have been sending out an email each Wednesday titling it "Mid-Week Encouragement" to some co-workers. I have had good feedback and have been challenged to try and continue this on a weekly basis. It encourages me that people are forwarding my emails to their friends but most importantly they are finding encouragement in the word of God. Here is what was sent today:

“And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom.”
-Matthew 27:51a

This verse comes in the next to last chapter of the Gospel of Matthew, more specifically it describes something that happened immediately after Jesus died on the cross. The significance of this torn curtain is life changing.

As you may know the temple was split into various sections. The key to understanding the importance of this verse though, comes from the knowledge of two sections in particular: the Holy Place and the Holy of Holies. In the Holy Place only the Priests could enter. Within the Holy Place was another section, the Holy of Holies, which was separated by a veil/curtain. Within the Holy of Holies sat the Ark of the Covenant and the Mercy Seat. The Holy of Holies was God’s special dwelling place, entered only by the High Priest and even the High Priest only entered once a year. The day in which the High Priest entered was the Day of Atonement, in which he would sprinkle blood over the Mercy Seat to atone for the sins of God’s people.

So, the fact that this curtain which separated everyone from God’s presence was torn in two means we all could now have direct access into God’s presence anytime. It was only because of Christ’s death that this took place. He (Christ) has given us direct access to God. John 14:6 says that no one can come to God except through Christ and Colossians 1:15 says that He (Christ) is the image of the invisible God. Be encouraged to know you can come to God at any time or any place. Hope you all have a good rest of your week!