The Renting Of The Veil

Probably more than any other literary work, the Bible uses incredible symbolism to get its message across. Not only is there a seemingly endless number of symbols employed in Scripture, the quality of the metaphors is without equal.

The Bible teaches that life is relational in nature and that our relationship with our Creator God is the very source of life. To be separated from Him is to die. The Bible also teaches that the entrance of sin into the world effectively severed that relationship for every one of us. We are estranged from God, separated from Him by our sinful state and, in the words of the apostle Paul, we are ‘dead in our sins’.

This separation from God is pictured in numerous ways throughout Scripture, but one of the most striking examples is the curtain (‘the veil’) that hung in the tabernacle, and then in the temple modeled after it, serving as a divider separating the holy place from the most holy place (also called ‘the holy of holies’) where God was said to dwell among His people. God had ordained it to be so, graphically depicting the barrier that exists between a holy God and sinful men. The book of Exodus records God’s instructions to Moses on how to fashion this thick veil from blue, purple and scarlet materials and fine twisted linen. (Ex 26:31,33)

The Jewish Talmud speaks of the veil that hung in the temple of Jesus’ day (often referred to as Herod’s temple) as being the thickness of a man’s hand and woven of seventy-two cords, each cord consisting of twenty-four strands. It was said to be forty cubits long and twenty wide. A cubit was the distance from the elbow to the finger tips or approximately 18 inches. This would make the veil 60 feet long and 30 feet wide. It is said to have the labor of 82 women to weave such a work and 300 priests to wash it if it became soiled (‘unclean’). They also tell us that it was replaced twice a year! The famous first century Jewish historian Josephus recorded the veil to be four inches thick and that horses tied to each side could not have pulled it apart.

The profound symbolism of the veil didn’t end with it’s mere existence though. This coming Friday is Good Friday and our minds are focused on the death of Christ. The gospel writers Matthew, Mark and Luke, each mention the veil in the temple being torn in two at the exact moment of Jesus’ death upon the cross (Mt 27:51; Mk 15:38; Lk 23:45). Matthew and Mark both describe another detail – it tore from top to bottom.

This last bit of information is of the utmost importance because it means that the veil did not tear of any natural cause, such as the earthquake that occurred at that same moment for example. Any natural phenomenon would have resulted in the veil being torn from the bottom according to simple physics. The obvious deduction we are to take from this is that God Himself tore the temple veil. There is no other explanation.

Neither do we have to speculate about the significance of this act. Hebrews 9:1-9 explains the significance of the veil in the OT temple design and function. And then in Hebrews chapter 10 we have these words:

“19 Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. 25 Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” Hebrews 10:19-25

This is a wow moment. God tore that veil. As surely as He allowed His Son to be pierced and to suffer and die paying the price for your sins and mine, God tore that veil. And in so doing, He made a way, removing the barrier so that you and I could be restored back into relationship with Him. It is sensational! He didn’t just remove it. He didn’t just roll it up or lay it aside. He ripped it open. A violent act in keeping with the slaughter of His Son. Because He was making a statement! It is God being emphatic. Don’t you just love that! I can just picture those priests in the temple when that all went down! Praise God!

“We implore you on Christ’s behalf - Be reconciled to God.” 2Cor 5:20