Then the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom

In the previous verse to this quote from Mark 15:38 Jesus had cried out from the cross with a loud voice, and breathed His last. John tells us that His last words were “It is finished.” He had finished the work the Father had sent Him to do. And then, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The veil separated the Holy place in the temple from the Holy of Holies. The writer to the Hebrews tells us that in this latter place , the high priest alone went once a year, not without blood, which he offered for himself and for the people’s sins. He also tells that the presence of the veil was the Holy Spirit indicating that the way into the Holiest of All was not yet made manifest, and that gifts and sacrifice, which cannot make him who performed the service perfect, were it all symbolic of the perfect gift and sacrifice of Jesus on the cross (Hebrews 9:7-9). And so the tearing of the veil from the top to bottom is symbolizing for us that it is God who did the tearing, and that there is a now a new and living way into the Holy of Holies made possible by the blood of Jesus (Hebrews 10:19, 20).

But let us take careful note here of the goodness and the severity of God (Romans 11:22). Indeed the write to the Hebrews is careful to warn us about these things saying “Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away,” and “For if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just reward, how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation” (Hebrews 2:1-3). There is not even a hint here of the validity of the presumption of some who pray the words of the sinners prayer, and then go away unchanged, but still expect to be saved. To exhibit such presumption is a sure way to ensure that we have neglected so great a salvation. We also neglect it be failing to heed the many warnings of Scripture. We do not want to be among those for whom Jesus will say on that day “I never knew you” (Matthew 7:22).

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, but fools despise wisdom and instruction (Proverbs 1:7; 9:10). Peter tells us that in order to make our election sure, we need to ad to faith in a number of ways (2 Peter 1:10). This is not to earn our salvation, because salvation is a gift that cannot be earned (Ephesians 2:8, 9; Romans 4:4). No, rather it is to not neglect salvation. When we do these things and abound, we can come boldly before the throne of Grace to obtain mercy and Grace to help in time of need (2 Peter 1:8; Hebrews 4:16).

Father, the writer to the Hebrews admonishes us to have grace, by which we may serve You acceptably with reverence and godly fear. He then He ads “For God is a consuming fire.” Indeed “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” Nevertheless we come boldly before Your throne of Grace this morning to obtain mercy and grace to help in these hours of need. Thank You Jesus for all You have done and do, in Your precious Name Amen