Growing up I never thought about Good Friday. I was just excited to have no school. Not until I moved to England in 2013, did I really take a step back and reflect on the days of Holy Week leading up to Resurrection Sunday. Looking back, I feel like I’ve heard the same story about the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. But, this year, I have focused in on two sentences from Matthew 28.
“…And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and yielded up his spirit. And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. And the earth shook, and the rocks were split…” -Matthew 28:50-51
The moment Jesus cried out and yielded up His Spirit the curtain in the temple was torn in two pieces. You might be thinking, why is this important? What does this mean to me? The curtain in the temple was estimated to be 60 feet high and approximately 4 inches thick! This curtain separated the Holy of Holies from the rest of the temple. The presence of God lived in the Holy of Holies. Only one person was permitted to enter the Holy of Holies. Once a year, the High Priest would enter to make a sacrifice for the sins of Israel.
The moment Jesus died on the cross, this curtain was torn from top to bottom! At that moment, He was and still is the perfect sacrifice. How amazing is that? Because the curtain was torn in two pieces we are all welcome to lay down our sin before Him and enter the most Holy place with God the Father.
This past week, I had the opportunity to share with 100 kids in a primary school about the curtain that was torn in two. I wrote on a towel all the bad choices and sin the kids shared with me. Once we made a list, I talked about the forgiveness Christ has offered us because of His death and resurrection. I chose some kids to try to rip the towel in 2 pieces but, no matter how hard they tried, they couldn’t do it. I then took scissors and cut through some of the towel and shared that because Jesus died He made it possible to be forgiven for what we have done. We were then able to tear the towel in two. This was one of my favourite moments in this school. Being able to share with them the importance of Good Friday. The importance of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
As you reflect on Matthew 28:50-51, what sin do you need to let go and lay before Christ? You are forgiven through what Jesus has done for you on the cross. The veil that was torn in two represents the perfect sacrifice that was made once and for all! Praise God, for His salvation!
-Bethany McNeeley
