In the Old Testament, we read about a veil that separated the holy place from the most holy place, first in the tent of meeting in the wilderness, and then in the temple in Jerusalem. Behind the veil existed the Arc of the Covenant which contained a copy of the Ten Commandments, written by the hand of God, and Aaron’s staff. The very presence of God rested here. Only the high priest could go behind the veil, and only once a year to make atonement for the sins of the people.
Have you noticed that several authors have written books on “spiritual” ways in which we may be able to get behind this veil today, to enter into a closer relationship with God the Father? How does this line up with scripture? From the Gospel of Matthew:
From noon on, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. And about three o’clock Jesus cried with a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” that is, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” When some of the bystanders heard it, they said, “This man is calling for Elijah.” At once one of them ran and got a sponge, filled it with sour wine, put it on a stick, and gave it to him to drink. But the others said, “Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to save him.” Then Jesus cried again with a loud voice and breathed his last. At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. The earth shook, and the rocks were split. The tombs also were opened, and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised. After his resurrection they came out of the tombs and entered the holy city and appeared to many. Now when the centurion and those with him, who were keeping watch over Jesus, saw the earthquake and what took place, they were terrified and said, “Truly this man was God’s Son!” (Matthew 27:45-54)
We should not need some spiritual technique for getting behind the veil. There is no veil. God tore the veil in half, from top to bottom. We have access to God the Father through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and what he has done for us. He died on a cruel cross so that our sins might be remitted. God has already opened up the way for us. Reading from Hebrews:
For Christ has not entered the holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us; not that He should offer Himself often, as the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood of another — He then would have had to suffer often since the foundation of the world; but now, once at the end of the ages, He has appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself. And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment, so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation. (Hebrews 9:24-28)
Our confidence to enter the most holy place with God is through the saving act of Jesus:
Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, and having a High Priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who has promised is faithful. (Hebrews 10:19-23)
Jesus has torn the veil for us. We are invited to live in his presence.
Preaching the Lectionary 