Great Friday

“With a loud cry, Jesus breathed his last.  The curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. And when the centurion, who stood there in front of Jesus, heard his cry and saw how he died, he said, ‘Surely this man was the Son of God!’” (Mark 15:37-39 NIV)

Today is Good Friday, so it seems appropriate to ask, as many do, what is good about the Friday Jesus died?  Most would answer it is because Jesus died for our sins.  And that, of course, is correct.  His death provided the means by which we can be forgiven of our sins.  But another reason this particular Friday is seen as good is it was the day the curtain in the Temple was torn in two.  

The Temple contained what was known as the “Holy of Holies.”  It was the innermost room of the Temple where the Ark of the Covenant resided. Separating this room was a large, thick curtain. Only the High Priest was allowed to go behind it, and then, only once a year during the Day of Atonement.  The curtain represented the separation of man from God caused by sin.  In the Garden of Eden, God and man walked together.  But after the Fall, that intimate relationship was impossible. The curtain was a reminder of the consequence of sin.  

When the curtain tore in two, it meant God was no longer separating Himself from man.  He once again could walk with God in a personal, intimate relationship.  Jesus’ death removed the barrier that had so long separated the human race from its Creator.

Today, as you remember Jesus’ death on the Cross, realize it not only provides forgiveness of your sins, it has made it possible for you to develop an intimate relationship with the Creator of the Universe. Maybe we should rename this day “Great Friday!”

© Jim Musser 2015