The curtain within the tabernacle or temple separated the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place. Behind this veil or curtain were the Ark of the Covenant and the Mercy Seat. This was a most sacred place (representing the presence of God) for the high priest to present an offering of blood once a year for forgiveness of sins. (See Hebrews 9:1-5) The curtain was made of finely twisted linen with specific colors and pattern embroidered on it. According to Jewish historians, the temple curtain”™s length was 60 feet and its width was 20 feet. The thickness of the curtain was the width of a man”™s hand. Three hundred priests were used to move it due to its weight.

When Jesus died, that curtain was torn in two, from top to bottom. The tearing action would have gone against the grain of the material.

(NASB) Matthew 27:50-51 “And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up His spirit.

51 And behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth shook and the rocks were split.”

Only by an act of God could this curtain have been torn in two”¦from top to bottom”¦and by the act of Jesus”™ death, open a way into the presence of God.

What is troubling you in your life? Who is stronger than your strength as you face each day? The God of the Bible is stronger than any other strength. He has the ability to overcome for you in your circumstances. And He has proven this in His Son”™s life, death and resurrection.

(NASB) 1 Corinthians 1:23-25 “but we preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block and to Gentiles foolishness,

24 but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.

25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.”

The God of the Bible is available to listen to your cries”¦

Tomorrow this devotional will consider the Significance of the Curtain.