Easter Sunday
Matthew 27: 50-51 Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost.
And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth
did quake, and the rocks rent;
For years God’s presence was manifested in the Holy of Holies. It was the symbol of God
dwelling with His people, but still God was separated from them. Only a priest could enter into
the Holy Place, and only the High Priest could enter into the Most Holy Place. This meant that
an average person would never enter the place of God’s presence on earth. It effectively
meant that even being a priest would never grant you entrance into God’s presence. Only one
person would enter once per year. God’s presence was near, but not accessible.
I wonder if during the time of Christ’s death anyone was working in the Holy Place. They were
getting ready for Passover after all. Can you imagine their shock as they experience not only
an earthquake, but also hearing that great, heavy curtain being ripped in two? This destruction
was definitely not how they had imagined the Passover preparation should be going!
When God caused the veil to tear, He was removing the barrier that separated His presence
from His people. All of His children could come before Him. The barrier was gone, but how
many would enter? This was such a ground breaking invitation, and if God had stopped there,
He would have been so gracious, but, as is His way, He did not stop there.
Sunday morning came, and the ladies headed to the tomb. They soon found that He was no
longer there. Jesus had conquered death and risen in triumph over the grave. He could have
gone straight back to Heaven, but He chose a different path. He sought out people: the same
kind of people He sought out during His years of ministry, the kind no-one else cared to seek
out. He sought out women, people with terrible reputations, men who had abandoned Him
during His time of greatest need, people who doubted Him, and people who were considered
of no real importance by their society. He sought sinners.
Christ’s victorious resurrection meant that His work was complete. It was enough. Yet He did
more. Not only did God rip open the curtain to invite us in, but He also exited that grave to
come after us personally. In the Bible, God gave us the map to the greatest treasure: Himself.
That alone would have been more than we deserved. But the records we have of the risen
Christ, are all about Him seeking His people. He doesn’t just give us the treasure map; He
brings the treasure to us!
Today’s Bible Reading:
Isaiah 52:7-10, Matthew 27: 50-51, Matthew 28, Luke 24