God With Us

'When Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit. At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. (Matthew 27:50-51)

It’s difficult for us to fully comprehend the symbolic power of the curtain being torn in two. Once a year on the Day of Atonement the high priest would go through this curtain into the holiest place of the temple to offer sacrifices, washing the people of Israel and cleansing them from their sin. The artwork in the most holy place represented the Garden of Eden, the meeting place between heaven and earth where God dwelt with his people. Jesus was (and is!) the ultimate meeting place between heaven and earth, and his death on the cross has changed everything.

His once-for-all sacrifice for our sins means we can now experience the fullness of redemption and forgiveness: life instead of death and freedom instead of slavery. Also, no future sacrifices need to be made, so the temple sacrificial system is now obsolete. But the torn curtain also means that God now dwells with his redeemed and forgiven people in a new way. Because of the Holy Spirit, we don’t just experience the presence of God in a temple (or Felpham College or any church building). We can be in the presence of God in our homes, workplaces, schools, sports fields, and anywhere else we go because he is with us.