by Zach Roll

Christ Has Restored Us to the Father.

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

“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 27:51 English Standard Version

Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia!

Today is a huge day of celebration for Christians. We celebrate that Jesus Christ, having died on the cross, rose from death and therefore conquered death forever, for us. The greatest act in the history of the world is complete by dying on the cross, bearing our sins, and rising from death. Jesus has brought those of us who believe, and trust, in Him back into communion with the Father. We are adopted into God’s family!

When Jesus died on the cross and said, “It is finished!”, the earth started to shake and the veil of the temple was torn. In the Jewish temple, there was a very large, and very thick, curtain made of fine linen that separated the Holy place from the Most Holy place. The purpose of this curtain was to keep people from coming into the presence of God. Even the high priests could not go beyond this curtain except for on the Day of Atonement. This was a place where sinful man was separated from perfect God.

Since Adam and Eve sinned in the garden, humanity has been completely separated from God, and there is nothing that human power can do to merit access to Him. People would constantly have to make sacrifices to be cleansed of their sin, and even the rules as to how sacrifices were made were to be strictly followed.

In other words, we are doomed. What can we do? There is no possible way for fallen humans to climb our way to perfection, or to set things right. When Jesus Christ died on the cross, those days ended…no more animal sacrifice…no more veil. Because of Christ’s victory on the cross, we are welcomed freely to come into the presence of God every single day. This is amazing grace!

Amen, and Happy Easter!

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, CO