YOUR DAILY DIVE: Good Friday

YOUR DAILY DIVE: Good Friday

ON GOOD FRIDAY, THE HANDS OF HEAVEN RIPPED OPEN THE BARRIER BETWEEN MAN AND GOD

SCRIPTURE:

And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up His spirit. And behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. (Matthew 27:50-51, NASB)

STORY:

Within the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem, there was an inner room called the Holy of Holies which served as God's dwelling place in the midst of His people. No man could look at God and survive (Exodus 33:20). So, a barrier stood at the entrance to the Holy of Holies to shield God's people from carelessly or irreverently entering into His holy presence. The barrier was an enormous curtain (or veil), 60 feet tall and 30 feet wide, which remained closed at all times. Once a year, one man (the High Priest) representing all of God's people, was allowed to part the curtain and enter into the presence of the LORD to make atonement for the peoples' sin. However, the moment Jesus died, that veil between man and God was torn in two...from top to bottom. On Jesus' cue, the Hands of Heaven ripped apart the divide between us and our Creator. Through Christ's death, man is now able to enter into the presence of the Lord 24/7, 365 days a year.

APPLICATION for today's Christ-follower:

By Jesus' death, sin no longer separates us from God. Christ made it possible for you to enter into the presence of God on any day at any time. He is waiting... are you willing? "And so, dear brothers and sisters, we can boldly enter heaven's Most Holy Place because of the blood of Jesus. By his death, Jesus opened a new and life-giving way through the curtain into the Most Holy Place." (Hebrews 10:19-20, NLT)

PRAYER:

Father God, how can a single moment simultaneously fracture in anguish and peace? How is it possible that the tortured cry of Your Son could signal a cosmic sigh of relief?! What the world heard as the agonizing wail of a dying man was truly the heavenly sound of You ripping in two the barrier that separated me from You. I kneel in awe and gratitude. Thank You for loving me enough to make a way for me to enter into Your presence. Thank You for destroying the barrier of my sin, and inviting me into eternal fellowship with You. I love You. In the name of Jesus Christ, my Savior, I praise You and give You thanks. Amen.