THANKFUL

Good Friday, April 10, 2020

Good afternoon, Jesus

It was your idea to rip the Temple curtain in half on Good Friday, wasn’t it, Jesus? What a clear way to introduce the New Covenant you ushered into being by your sacrifice for our sins. Scripture tells us the immense curtain, or veil, was 30 feet long by 30 feet high by four inches thick and separated man from God’s Presence. No one except the High Priest could enter the presence of God and if the priest wasn’t in right relationship with God, the glory of God instantly killed him. Although Scripture is silent, I’d wager it wasn’t a slow tear, but a quick rip, and to say the priests on duty in the Temple were startled is an understatement. When on the cross you cried, “It is finished!” and breathed your last, the curtain was torn in half from the top down. Only by a divine act could this be done. Thank you, Jesus, that only by a divine act of your sacrifice for our sins can we now freely enter God’s presence.

Lord Jesus, may we never take lightly your sacrifice for our sins. Your separation from your Father as he poured out his full fury on sin on you was a great price you paid. We can’t imagine how you endured the punishment for every sin ever committed by every person who ever lived. That included my sins which were unfairly dumped on your shoulders. How can I be so arrogant at times to think I’m more than what I am. Only by your grace, Lord God, do I stand in right relationship with you.

Thankful for the big “rip,” Jesus. Amen.