Why Was the Veil Torn? The Meaning of the Temple Veil at Jesus' Death

Why Was the Veil Torn? The Meaning of the Temple Veil at Jesus' Death

Introduction

It was a most unusual event in the temple in Jerusalem at the time of Jesus' death.

The curtain was torn between the Holy Place and Most Holy Place.

Matthew records:

“Let us read the scripture: ‘And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom.’”

Matthew 27:51, KJV

There are two accounts of the same event in Mark and Luke.

What was the meaning of this?

Did the incident happen just by chance?

Or, had God had something deeper to say through the torn veil?

From the Bible, the veil was a sign of separation between a holy God and sinful mankind.

That barrier was ripped down when Jesus died.

The message was powerful:

By Jesus Christ, there was an opening to God.

What was the Temple Veil?

There was a small room in the temple that had been set apart from the rest called the Most Holy Place or Holy of Holies.

This was where God was present.

There was a thick curtain between the Holy of Holies and the other rooms of the sanctuary.

The high priest alone was allowed to enter into the Most Holy Place, and even then, only once a year on the Day of Atonement under the Old Covenant.

God spoke to Moses about this veil in great detail.

It was not just for decoration.

It was a big line.

Why was there a Veil?

The veil was a way of conveying the holiness of God.

God is holy.

Humanity is sinful.

The separation thus served as a reminder that man by himself, a sinful man, could no longer approach a holy God on his own terms.

The Old Covenant was a system of sacrifice that allowed Israel to come to God on His terms.

However, the sacrifices needed to be repeated again.

The priesthood continued.

Once a year the Day of Atonement arrived.

The system looked outward and upward to a greater.

The Veil's and the Presence of God

The Most Holy Place had the presence of God.

Under the Old Covenant, it was there that the Ark of the Covenant was placed.

Thus the veil was meant to be a great truth:

God is holy, sin results in separation.

This separation was not due to God's unwillingness to have a relationship with humanity.

Throughout the entire Biblical narrative, God continues to reach out to man and come to Him to repair and recover what was broken by sin.

The veil was a symbol that led to the ultimate goal—Christ.

What happened when Jesus died?

When Jesus died:

Quite suddenly, the curtain in the Temple was torn in half from top to bottom.

Matthew 27:51

Notice the direction:

From the top to the bottom.

The symbolism is powerful.

It was a top to bottom tear.

It was not a message of man intruding into God's presence, but a message that God had descended into man.

It was God Himself who was making the way.

What caused the veil to be torn?

1.The Barrier between God and Man was taken away

The veil had been ripped and represented a new way of access to God.

Believers are able to come through Jesus to God.

Hebrews says:

Therefore, having such boldness, brethren, into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, . . . .

Hebrews 10:19

The way into God's presence is no longer dependent upon the old temple system.

Christ is the mediator.

2.Jesus was God's sacrifice for sin.

The Old Covenant required continually to make sacrifices for sin.

Jesus gave Himself once.

Hebrews explains:

By his own blood, once he entered in, to the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us, he was not granted by the blood of goats and calves.

Hebrews 9:12

His sacrifice made what the recurring animal offerings could only have symbolized "come true".

The cross was no ordinary death of a teacher.

It was the sacrifice of the Savior!

3. The Old Covenant Sacrificial System was Fulfilled

The veil was torn and it was associated with a big shift in God's redemptive plan.

Jesus was the High Priest and sacrifice to the end.

Hebrews provides us with an understanding that the earthly tabernacle and its services revealed more heavenly realities.

There was a reason for the old system.

It was a preparation for humanity for Christ.

4.The timid among us can approach God with confidence.

The Most Holy place was very difficult to enter before Christ.

But hebrews encourages us to believe after Christ's sacrifice:

Therefore, let's approach God's throne of grace with courage.

Hebrews 4:16

Believers are not arrogant towards God.

It means that they can come to Him in confidence through Jesus.

We come not because we are good.

Christ has made the way, we come.

5. Jesus is Our Savior

The tear in the veil reminds us of Jesus uniting God and humankind.

Paul writes:

There is one God, and one Mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.

1 Timothy 2:5

We don't need another human priest to make Christ's sacrifice effective.

Jesus Himself is the mediator.

The meaning of the torn veil to prayer.

The best implication is that believers can pray directly to God.

No need to go to Jerusalem.

The building does not have to be a specific structure.

There is no need for any earthly priest in order to have access to God.

Believers can pray anywhere, in Christ.

At home.

At work.

In a hospital room.

In a quiet bedroom.

It was in the middle of a rough night.

The path to God is open!

The Veil and the Book of Hebrews

The torn veil is probably explained with the clearest in Hebrews.

Jesus is our great High Priest!

He went in for us to the very presence of the heavenly.

It is through Him that the believer is invited to come close to God.

Let us approach with sincere heart, in full confidence of faith…

Hebrews 10:22

The torn veil is thus the symbol of access, reconciliation and trust in God through Christ.

Why did the veil tear at the time Jesus died?

The timing is crucial.

It was the end of the time of Jesus' sacrifice.

He declared:

"It is finished."

John 19:30

But He gave up His spirit.

The curtain was torn at that time.

The message is clear:

The sacrifice had been fulfilled.

The barrier of the veil was no longer the same.

Christ had done the work that was required for reconciliation.

Does the “torn veil” imply that all are necessarily saved?

No.

The veil was torn in two means that the road to God was opened through Christ.

There is still a call to repent and trust in the New Testament.

Jesus said:

I am the way, the truth, and the life, who ever comes to the Father, I will let him come.

John 14:6

Access is available.

However we must respond to Christ in faith.

What Does This mean? For Christians Today!

1.God communicates directly with us.

You don't have to be afraid to approach Him.

Bring your worries.

Bring your questions.

Bring your failures.

Bring your gratitude.

Bring your tears.

2.You don't need to hide from Him.

The torn veil reminds us that God has provided a path toward for all sinful people to approach.

Don't flee from God when you fail!

Run toward Him.

3. Your Relationship with God is through Christ

We do not experience confidence in Christ because we are good.Confidence in Christ is not our own goodness.

It is derived from the work that Jesus did.

4.God’s gift of prayer belongs to everyone.

Prayer is not just an obligation upon religion.

It is a right to the Giver of Life.

Take that privilege lightly.

5. The Cross was God's plan of redemption

The veil is torn and it is all the way to Jesus' death.

The cross was no coincidence.

It was a key component in God's Eternal Plan for the reconciliation of man to God.

The Believer's new identity is then connected to the Veil.

The New Testament teaches us that believers are God's temple in the Holy Spirit.

God's presence is no longer associated exclusively with a particular inner room in an earthly temple.

Paul writes:

Do you not know that you are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God lives in you?

1 Corinthians 3:16

This is an astounding fact!

God does not let us approach Him just because we are in Christ.

He makes believers His home in the Holy Spirit.

Common Misunderstandings

The veil was split because the temple was no longer of importance.

It's more than just about constructing the building.

The tearing implied that God's redemptive work was to be accomplished in a different manner than it had been before, that is, through Christ.

The veil is torn, so that all can approach God as they please.

The NT tells us that we can get to the Father through Jesus Christ.

The veil is a symbol of Christ as the way, not of man's independence of God.

Now that the veil has been torn, Christians do not need prayer.

It's not like that.

Believers are urged to pray bravely and persistently, as access has been opened.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was in the dark?

The Most Holy Place, where in the Old Covenant, the Ark of the Covenant was placed and where God's special presence was manifest with His people.

Who was allowed to go into the Holy of Holies?

The Mosaic system required the High Priest to enter into God's presence once a year on the Day of Atonement by the rules set forth for him.

Why was the veil ripped from top to bottom?

The direction is highlighted by the Gospel writers. Many Christians interpret this as a symbol of God's work of making access to His presence available.

What does the ripped veil represent?

It represents the beginning of access to God through Jesus Christ, and the completion of the promise of the Old Covenant sacrificial system.

Reflection

Now as you imagine standing in Jerusalem during the time of the tearing of the veil.

It had been a barrier, for generations.

A reminder to God's holiness.

A reminder of mankind's sin.

A reminder that the Most Holy Place was not open to the public.

Then Jesus died.

The curtain in the temple was torn.

From top to bottom.

The message was deep and inspiring:

The way to God has been opened.

There is no need to stay at a distance.

No need to be sneaky.

You don't have to depend upon your own righteousness.

Due to Jesus, you can approach now.

As Hebrews says:

Let Them Come in the Name of the Lord!Let us approach with a faithful heart, bold in our faith.

Hebrews 10:22

The torn veil is ultimately a picture of the grace of God.

Jesus opened the way.

Closing Prayer

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for Jesus Christ, Who made a way for us to come into Your presence. Thank You that because of my sin I don't have to be separated from You. Help me understand the greatness of what Christ accomplished on the cross.

Help me to come to You with humility, confidence and faith. Remind me that Jesus is the way when I feel far from You. Teach me to come closer to You daily and never to take Your presence for granted.

Amen, Lord Jesus.