THE CROSS and THE CURTAIN Today is Good Friday when we remember the Cross of Christ. I find it interesting how pervasive the image of the cross is in our culture. It is in clothing, jewelry, home decor, etc. The thing about these crosses is that they are often quite clean and very refined - shiny, gold, even decorated. In Roman culture, the cross was a tool of death, meant to crush rebellions and encourage obedience to the emperor. Over the centuries, MANY people were put to death by a cross, yet, in the wearing or displaying of a cross, we commemorate only ONE. GOD HUMBLING HIMSELF TO THE POINT OF DEATH, PAYING A DEBT THAT NO ONE COULD PAY. Lets continue to THE CURTAIN: A quick summary of the the structure of the temple in Jerusalem would be that there was an outer courtyard that all people had access to, an inner courtyard where only the priests could enter and finally a court called the Holy of Holies where the Spirit of God was acutely present. Only one time per year could the high priest enter this place and offer a sacrifice as an atonement (payment) for the sins of the people for that year. At the entrance of this Holy of Holies there was a thick curtain separating Gods presence from the outside. This separation was actually a good thing for the people, since there was not full atonement for sin, anyone who would be in Gods holy presence would literally be struck down. As Jesus dies on the cross, take a look at what happens: The light from the sun was gone. And suddenly, THE CURTAIN in the sanctuary of the Temple was TORN DOWN THE MIDDLE. Then Jesus shouted, “Father, I entrust my spirit into your hands!” And with those words he breathed his last. (Luke 23:45, 46 NLT) The separation that was prior, was no longer in existence. God was no longer over there, God was now accessible. In short: PRIOR TO THE CROSS, SEPARATION (by our choices). AFTER THE CROSS, INTIMACY (by Gods choice). TODAY as we reflect on Jesus, who was pierced for our transgressions and crushed for our sins, let us know that it was for a CLEAR and DEFINITE purpose - INTIMACY.
Posted on: Fri, 18 Apr 2014 12:40:08 +0000
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