Scriptures: John 19:30 (NIV) – “When he had received the drink, Jesus said, ‘It is finished.’  With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.”

Matthew 27:51: (NIV) – “And behold, the veil of the temple was rent in two from the top to the bottom, and the earth quaked and the rocks rent.” 

Matthew 27:54 (NIV) – “When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, ‘Surely he was the Son of God!’”

Message: I have often wondered what God thought when He looked down from heaven and saw His Son falsely accused, arrested, mocked, tortured, and crucified knowing He had never committed a sin, or broken the law?

Could these verses of Scripture from Matthew 27 be Gods expression of His displeasure of what He saw?  Was this earthquake sent by God for all on earth to witness?

The temple curtain served as a barrier between God and the Holy Place.  Its tearing revealed that all could come into the presence of God with the acceptance of Jesus’ sacrifice.

The temple curtain splitting from top to bottom, at the moment Jesus died on the cross, signified the end of the old covenant and the beginning of the new covenant.  We now have direct access to God through Jesus’ sacrifice.  The curtain, representing the barrier separating people from God's presence in the Holy of Holies, has been removed; access to God is now open to all who turn to Him. 

We know that God sent His Son, Jesus, (God on earth) to walk on earth to teach and preach.  He had a faithful following in His disciples who followed Him everywhere He went.  Jesus taught His disciples to pray and to put God first in their lives and to love Him with all their heart, soul, and mind.  Jesus further taught His disciples to be a good example and to share with others and to Minister to those in need.  As Christians, is this not what God expects of us?

Prayer: Father in heaven, during this Eastertide Season, keep us ever mindful of the sacrifice made by You in giving up Your Son, Jesus, and of His sacrifice of dying on the cross in forgiveness of our sins.  Amen.

Bob Burkhart 1 of 2