I realized something a little more about some of the context surrounding exactly what happened when the veil in the temple was rent in two when Jesus Christ was crucified.
And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent; (Matthew 27:51)
Besides everything else that happened at that time, "the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom" during the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.
This veil separated the "Holiest of all" from the other parts of the temple (or tabernacle).
Then verily the first covenant had also ordinances of divine service, and a worldly sanctuary. For there was a tabernacle made; the first, wherein was the candlestick, and the table, and the shewbread; which is called the sanctuary. And after the second veil, the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of all; Which had the golden censer, and the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold, wherein was the golden pot that had manna, and Aaron's rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant; And over it the cherubims of glory shadowing the mercyseat; of which we cannot now speak particularly. Now when these things were thus ordained, the priests went always into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the service of God. But into the second went the high priest alone once every year, not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people: The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing: (Hebrews 9:1-8)
Inside this "Holiest of all" is where the high priest would enter only once a year with blood to make intercession for himself and all the people. For many years I have realized that part of the symbolism of the veil being torn was showing that Jesus Christ is now the intercessor between God and man.
For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time. (1 Timothy 2:5-6)
I also realized that now, through the blood of Jesus, we can approach God ourselves and no longer need an earthly mediator.
Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrews 4:16)
The part that I realized this morning is the gravity of the situation pertaining to the religious context surrounding the tearing of the temple veil.
You see, from a Jewish perspective at the time, the "Holiest of all" was a very restricted area. Only the high priest could enter there, and only once a year. No one else, whether Jew of gentile, was ever allowed to enter in. In fact, except for the outermost area, gentiles weren't even allowed in.
Therefore, for all of mankind, whether Jew or gentile, to have such access would have been unheard of and completely illogical from the religious point of view at the time.
Such access was strictly forbidden.
Yet, that sobering reality is what we now have available to us! Praise God for that, and Merry Christmas!
