By Pastor Steve Nickodemus

The Curtain Comes Down

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

“The curtain of the temple was torn in two.  Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.”  When he had said this, he breathed his last.”
Luke 23:45b and 46 New International Version

This mural stands in the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Old Jerusalem.  It depicts the death of Jesus upon the cross and His burial in the tomb.  It is believed that both the site of the cross and Jesus’ tomb are within the church building.

We all know that Jesus died on the cross.  But what was the significance of the tearing of the temple curtain, the curtain that separated the Most Holy Place of God’s Presence from the rest of the temple?  The answer?  When Jesus died, when He committed His spirit into the Father’s hands, the punishment for our sin was paid for and the separation between us and God was removed.  The way to the Father was opened up by the shedding of Jesus’ blood.

Jesus does not die in some sort of failure or terrible tragedy.  Jesus dies intentionally to do His Father’s will and to return to His Father, to remove the barrier of sin that separated us from God.  He dies to open the way to the Father for us.

As we approach Good Friday and Easter, it behooves us well to meditate upon the death of Jesus, His Sacrifice for us.  To dwell upon the suffering He endured for us.  To think upon the wounds He bore that we might be healed.  To remember that God’s own Son paid the price for our sin and opened the way to the Father through His own precious blood.

“When I survey the wondrous cross
On which the Prince of Glory died,
My richest gain I count but loss
And pour contempt on all my pride.”

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church Colorado Springs, Colorado