PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Mark 15:38-41
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“The curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.” (Mark 15:38)
The curtain in the temple symbolized the separation between God and people.
Behind he curtain was the Most Holy Place, where humans could not enter.
Except once a year, when the priest entered with lamb’s blood.
Mark is showing how this is the significance of Jesus’s death.
Jesus breaks down the dividing wall between God and people (Ephesians 2:14).
Jesus also breaks down the dividing wall between people and people.
Instead of only the priests serving God, now all may serve God.
Instead of men only serving God, now the women can serve God.
Both men and women, and all men and women, have access to God through Jesus.
“Now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ.” (Ephesians ?2:13)
I love how Mark shows this: first by the faith statement of the centurion.
And then by describing the women that were with Jesus.
Jews and Gentiles, men and women, rich and poor… the door is wide open.
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for opening the way to God so that we all may come with confidence – not in our own goodness but in your goodness.
The testimony of a Roman centurion: ‘And when the centurion, who stood there in front of Jesus, saw how he died,[a] he said, “Surely this man was the Son of God!”’ It’s an amazing testimony as this man say how Jesus was crucified as a lowly criminal – and now from what he witnessed – declares Jesus as the Son of God – not simply a son of god – but the Son of God! He saw what converts see today – what we all need to see that Jesus is the Son of God! He is! Not just a scribe, a holy man or a prophet or a god on the wheel of life – the Son of God. The Centurion witnessed Jesus final breath – and he saw Jesus as God! Lord Jesus help me to share the good news so that others too may come to know you as the Son of God!
The curtain that divided the Holy from Holies from the rest of the people was ripped from top to bottom opening the way to God through the blood of Christ. The women were watching from a distance – His death was witnessed by some who were closest to Him. Through His death you and I have access to Him. In Him we have life and life eternal. What a wonder. The love of Christ. I need to share that love.
1 Praise Him, praise Him, all ye little children,
God is love, God is love;
Praise Him, praise Him, all ye little children,
God is love, God is love.
2 Love Him, love Him, all ye little children,
God is love, God is love;
Love Him, love Him, all ye little children,
God is love, God is love.
3 Thank Him, thank Him, all ye little children,
God is love, God is love;
Thank Him, thank Him, all ye little children,
God is love, God is love.