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VEIL OF THE TEMPLE TORN IN TWO "Then the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was torn in two. And when Jesus had cried out with a loud voice, He said, "Father, 'into Your hands I commit My spirit.' " Having said this, He breathed His last." Luke 23:45-46 Where are we going? What are we doing? Let us enter the Holy of Holies, the inner sanctum, the place where God sits on the throne. Today's verses hold a vast and far reaching promise. Jesus was accused, tried, convicted, sentenced, and crucified...for sins He had not committed. He paid for the sins of Adam and Eve... Cain and Able... Noah... Abraham and Isaac and Jacob... Kings Saul and David and Solomon. He died for the sins of the High Priest who condemned Him and Pilate who ordered His crucifixion and the Centurion who oversaw the driving of the nails and the erecting of the cross. He died for the sins of Saul, who became Paul... and Peter and James and John. He died for the sins of the Caesars and the crusaders. He died for the sins of Martin Luther and Jonathan Edwards. He died for the sins of Abraham Lincoln and Ronald Reagan. He died for your sins and my sins. His singular act of sacrifice paid our debt in full. But it did more than that. When the earthquake struck Jerusalem and the Veil of the Temple was torn asunder, the graves of the righteous were opened and they briefly walked the streets of Jerusalem before they were ushered into the Celestial City and strolled on the streets of gold. But even more than that, the sacrifice of Jesus opened the curtain that separated man from God. For the first time ever, common man could look into the Most Holy Place. He could visit with the Creator, without an earthly priest! My friends, let us never take for granted what wondrous things Jesus did for us. He provided more than salvation. He promised more than eternal life. He offered direct access to that One who chose to adopt us as His own children! We can walk into His presence, stroll up to the throne, and climb into His lap. He will laugh with us. He will feed us from His abundance. If we ask anything of Him, He will not withhold it unless what we ask is dangerous to us. All of this is what happened when the veil was rent from top to bottom. You can probably imagine the shock on the faces of the priests attending the altar. As soon as the damage to the veil was seen, the massive bronze doors were slammed shut so the common man could not see the place where God was supposed to dwell. There was a reason for that... the Holy of Holies... the Most Holy Place was empty! The Ark of the Covenant was long gone... as was the original copy of the Commandments and Aaron's rod that budded... and the pot of manna. There was no "holy glow"... no shekinnah glory that filled the Temple. Just as Moses hid his face because the glow of the presence of God was fading, the Temple doors were closed because God was not there! But we know the truth. We know where to find God. We can live in His presence, and that is where we find direction! That is where we discover God's purpose for our lives, because that is where life begins... in the very presence of God! Go to the throne room today. Live there always... in the presence of the King of Kings! Amen and Amen. "Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split," Matthew 27:51 Take me past the outer courts And through the holy place, Past the brazen altar; Lord, I want to see Your face. Pass me by the crowds of people, And the priests who sing their praise; I hunger and thirst for Your righteousness But it's only found one place. So take me in to the Holy of Holies, Take me in by the blood of the Lamb; So take me in to the Holy of Holies, Take the coal, cleanse my lips, here I am. (Petra) "So, Pastor Jeff, what does this verse and this song lyrics have to do with knowing where I'm going? Actually, both have everything to do with finding our place in God. Let's look at the song. As you read these words, does a "video" play through your mind? Read it again. Don't you see a person, it's ok to consider that person as yourself, entering the Temple in Jesus day? Look around. Do you see the outer courts? Look, there are the moneychangers and the men who sell sacrificial lambs. Some of them are crooks, but most of them are ok. Now walk on, walk through the gate that separates. Don't stop. Walk through the gate that only the priests and Levites may enter. No, they won't stop you. Look around. Before you is the altar of burnt offering. Smell the roasting meat? On the left is the huge brass basin where the priests cleanse themselves for service before God. No, you don't have to pause there. Keep looking forward. There they are, the huge bronze doors that mark the entrance into the Holy Place. Sure, it is reserved for the priests, but you may enter. It's cool in here, and there is the aroma of incense. That comes from the small altar just in front of you. And to the left is the only source of light, the menorah with its multiple wicks burning pure olive oil. To the right is the table of showbread, yes, twelve loaves of unleavened bread baked fresh each day adorns this table. But don't stop long. Before you is the curtain that separates the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place. That's where we want to go. I know. It is forbidden for anyone to enter there except the High Priest, and he can only do it on Passover. But it is ok. Trust me. See that torn spot? Yes, that one. That is where YOU may enter. Ah! Now you are there, in the very presence of the Most Holy God. No, don't be afraid. It's ok. You are safe here. Yes, it is rather intimidating, isn't it? Oh, you want to take your shoes off? Good idea. This is a very holy place, one deserving of all reverence. No! Don't leave. You can stay as long as you want, and I know you really need to stay. I certainly do. You can stay here all day. All night. For a week... a month... a year... a lifetime. As long as you want! There is no one to drive you away. You are in the presence of the Living God... and He wants you to stay. Hallelujah, Amen and Amen. When I Say I'm A Christian When I say... I am a Christian I'm not shouting "I am saved" I'm whispering "I get lost!" "That is why I chose this way." When I say...I am a Christian I don't speak of this with pride. I'm confessing that I stumble and need someone to be my guide. When I say...I am a Christian I'm not trying to be strong. I'm professing that I'm weak and pray for strength to carry on. When I say...I am a Christian I'm not bragging of success. I'm admitting I have failed and will better live my life to pay the debt. When I say...I am a Christian I'm not claiming to be perfect, my flaws are too visible but God believes I'm worth it. When I say...I am a Christian I still feel the sting of pain I have my share of heartaches which is why I seek God's name. When I say...I am a Christian I do not wish to judge. I have no authority. I only know that I am loved.
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