by Pastor Douglas Brauner

Dressed to Enter Heaven’s Holy Place

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking on this SoundCloud link.

“And the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom.”
Mark 15:38 English Standard Version

This sign is rather emphatic. It’s not enough to state that the only people permitted behind the fence are authorized personnel, but it is written in all caps with an exclamation point. It screams to us a warning that something bad will happen if we transgress its admonition.

The temple curtain screamed at the people that something terrible would happen to them if they trespassed into the Holy of Holies. Not only was the common Jewish person prohibited from peaking behind the curtain, merely one priest could enter behind it and that once a year. Even he would have to go through an intense cleansing process before he entered.

“AUTHORIZED PERSONNEL ONLY!”

The priests must have been terrified when they saw the curtain torn in two from top to bottom. The common Jewish person in Jerusalem must have been frightened when news spread that the Holy of Holies was open for others to see.

The tearing of the curtain signifies that through Jesus you and I have been declared by God to be authorized personnel who can now enter the most holy place of heaven. Paul reminds us that we have already been cleansed in the waters of baptism (1 Corinthians 6:11) and that in those waters we have been dressed with Christ (Galatians 3:27).

This entry into the most holy place of heaven has been opened for all. However, those who will enjoy the presence of the Lamb who was slain are only those who receive the clothing necessary to enter. Yet God desires that all people be clothed with Jesus. He desires that all enter into the most holy place.

Since you and I wear this new clothing, may we humbly don it so that others might know that this entry into God’s most holy place is also open for them.

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado