Torn Curtain

     ” ⁵⁰ And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and yielded up his spirit.

⁵¹ And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. And the earth shook, and the rocks were split." Matthew 27:50-51

     The curtain in the temple separated the Holy Place and the Most Holy Place. Only the High Priest was allowed, once a year, to venture into the Most Holy Place to make a sacrifice for the people. If anyone else went in, they would die. It was there that the High Priest would plead to God on behalf of the people. No one else could survive in the presence of God.

     When Jesus died and the curtain tore, a way was made into the Most Holy Place. It no longer meant death to approach the presence of God. The path had been cleared, all obstacles were removed. Anyone could now approach God and plead on their own behalf.

     Notice that the curtain was torn all the way, top to bottom. It wasn't torn halfway so you could peer in, but all the way so you can enter in. If you are still outside peering in then Jesus' death was meaningless. He died so we could re-establish our relationship with God without any barriers.

...But Thine

     It is easy to be a Christian on Palm Sunday, to be one of the multitude waving palms and shouting hosannas. It is easier still a week later. Look around the church on Easter, the crowds are always larger for Easter. It is easy to be a Christian on the day Jesus rose from the dead, the day He claimed victory over death. Those days it is easy,but there are other days.

     As easy as it is to be a Christian on Easter, it is difficult to be one on Good Friday. Good Friday crowds are small. Good Friday points out our weaknesses. Good Friday is when we find out what God desires from us. Good Friday is the day we find ourselves once again joining the crowd yelling to Jesus, only this time yelling for His blood. Good Friday is the day we learn that all God wants is to hear us say, "Not my will but Thine."

     As you are joining the crowd on Palm Sunday, remember what the crowd will be doing on Friday. As you rejoice with the disciples on Easter morning, remember that God wants us to lay aside our will for His. Our churches are full of Christians when it is easy, but God is looking for those who will stand up when it is hard and say, "... yet not my will but Thine be done."

Ride on to Die

     Palm Sunday has always been a strange day for me. There are two very disparate images in it. One is the cheering crowd. They are pressing in to see Jesus pass through the city. They are shouting hosanna and laying coats and palm fronds in the road to make a carpet for the Messiah to enter on.

     The other image is the man at the center of the crowd's admiration. What must Jesus have been thinking? He alone knew what awaited Him later in the week. He knew these very same people would be calling for His death in a few short days. It is bad enough that Jesus knew He was riding to His death, how much more painful to have crowds cheering Him on His way.

     So as you were waving your palms this morning. I hope you were also thinking of what was going through Jesus' mind. These were the first steps on His way to the cross. Knowing this, He still faced it head-on, trusting His heavenly father. Often we are called to do things we may not be real thrilled about. We need to take courage from Jesus on that young colt amid the cheering crowd. He knew His path would end on the cross and yet He still continued along the path laid out for Him.

     If you find yourself walking through a crowd cheering your downfall, take courage in knowing Jesus has already walked this road.



Once again the inspiration for this comes from Michael Card. He is one of the most anointed performers I have ever heard. Take some time out to listen to some of his work. The song that inspired this is "Ride on to Die".