The Veil Was Rent For Us

The Veil Was Rent For Us

When Jesus died on the cross, an extraordinary and highly symbolic event occurred in the temple in Jerusalem. The veil in the temple, a thick curtain that separated the Holy of Holies from the rest of the temple, was torn in two, from top to bottom. This moment, recorded in Matthew 27:51, was not just an incidental event in the crucifixion narrative, but a powerful and profound act with deep theological meaning. To fully grasp the weight of this event, we must understand the significance of the veil in the temple and the implications of it being torn apart at that moment.

The temple veil was much more than just a physical barrier. It was a deeply symbolic object that represented the separation between God and mankind. The temple, in the Old Testament, was the place where God's presence was believed to dwell. At the heart of the temple was the Holy of Holies, the most sacred and inner room. This was where the Ark of the Covenant, the symbol of God’s presence among His people, had once rested. The Holy of Holies was the place where God’s glory resided, and only one person, the high priest, could enter it—and only once a year. On the Day of Atonement, the high priest would offer sacrifices for the sins of the people, making atonement on their behalf. This ritual, performed after much preparation, was a symbol of the way that sin had separated humanity from God.

The veil itself was a constant reminder of this separation. It represented the fact that God's holiness was so pure, so unattainable, that sinful human beings could not approach Him directly. It was a physical barrier, one that no one but the high priest could cross, and even he could only do so under strict ritualistic requirements. The veil kept God’s people at a distance, serving as a visible reminder that sin had created an insurmountable gap between God and humanity.

However, when Jesus died, something monumental happened. As He uttered His final words, "It is finished" (John 19:30), the earth shook, and at that very moment, the veil in the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. This was no ordinary tearing of fabric. The veil was made of thick, heavy material that was unlikely to be torn by human hands alone. It was approximately 60 feet tall and 30 feet wide, making it an extremely formidable object. The fact that it was torn from top to bottom was highly significant. It wasn’t torn by human effort, which would have suggested that it was a work of man; rather, it was torn from top to bottom, indicating that it was God's work. This event was not something that humans initiated, but it was God Himself, in His divine will, who had torn the veil open.

The tearing of the veil was a clear and dramatic declaration of God's action to remove the separation between Himself and His people. It signified that the barrier that had existed between God and mankind since the fall of Adam and Eve was now removed. The sacrificial system of the Old Testament, which had been necessary because of humanity's sin, was no longer needed. Jesus’ death had fulfilled the demands of the law, and through His sacrifice, the ultimate atonement for sin had been made. No longer would there be a need for animal sacrifices or for a high priest to offer those sacrifices on behalf of the people. Jesus had become the ultimate and final sacrifice, offering Himself as the once-for-all atonement for the sins of the world.

The tearing of the veil also marks the end of the Old Covenant and the establishment of the New Covenant. The Old Covenant, with its laws, sacrifices, and rituals, could never fully reconcile humanity to God. It pointed forward to something greater, to a time when God Himself would make a way for people to be reconciled to Him through a perfect and complete sacrifice. Jesus, through His death, had brought the Old Covenant to fulfillment and, in doing so, had made the way for a new, better covenant. A covenant where people could approach God directly, not through rituals, sacrifices, or human mediators, but through Jesus Christ, the one mediator between God and man (1 Timothy 2:5).

This was revolutionary. The Old Covenant had kept the people of Israel at a distance from God. Even with the high priest performing sacrifices on their behalf, the people could not approach God on their own. But now, with the veil torn, everything had changed. The way to God was open, not just for the Jewish people but for all people, because Jesus had made a way for all who believe in Him to enter into a relationship with God. The veil, which had once separated the holy from the unholy, the sinner from the righteous, was now gone. Jesus had removed the barrier, and all who place their faith in Him can now approach the throne of grace with confidence (Hebrews 4:16).

The tearing of the veil also speaks to the intimacy now available with God. Before Jesus' sacrifice, the high priest was the only one who could enter the Holy of Holies, and even he could do so only after performing a complex set of rituals. The presence of God, symbolized in the Holy of Holies, was not something the people could enter into freely. But now, the veil was torn, and the presence of God was no longer confined to one place. Through Jesus’ death, God’s presence was made available to all believers, wherever they were. Jesus Himself, as the fulfillment of the temple and the true High Priest, opened the door for all to have access to God. In Jesus, God's presence is not just in one specific place; it is now in the hearts of all who believe in Him.

This event also signifies that Jesus, as the Lamb of God, has dealt once and for all with the issue of sin. The temple veil, with its separation, was a constant reminder of the need for atonement. Through the sacrificial system, the Israelites would seek forgiveness for their sins, but the sacrifices were always temporary. They had to be repeated year after year. However, when Jesus died, He offered a sacrifice that was final and complete. His death on the cross was the once-for-all sacrifice that fully paid for the sins of the world. The tearing of the veil signified that His atonement was complete. The sacrifice had been made, and no further sacrifices would be needed.

The earthquake that accompanied the tearing of the veil, along with the splitting of rocks and the opening of tombs (Matthew 27:51-52), emphasized the magnitude of this event. The very earth seemed to react to the death of Jesus, as though it recognized that the Creator was accomplishing something profound. The veil’s tearing, the shaking of the earth, and the splitting of rocks were all signs of the cosmic importance of what had just transpired. Jesus' death was not only a moment of great significance for humanity but for the entire creation. Through His sacrifice, He was reconciling all things to Himself (Colossians 1:20).

This moment also fulfilled the prophecy of the Old Testament. In Hebrews 10:19-22, the author reflects on the meaning of the veil being torn, explaining that through Jesus' body—the new and living way—believers have access to the Most Holy Place. The Old Testament tabernacle, with its veil, was a shadow of the heavenly reality that was fulfilled in Christ. Jesus’ sacrifice opened the way for believers to enter into the presence of God directly, something that was never possible under the old system of laws and rituals.

Ultimately, the tearing of the veil is a powerful symbol of God’s grace and His desire for a personal relationship with humanity. Through Jesus’ death, He has made it possible for anyone, regardless of their past or their status, to come into God's presence and experience His love, mercy, and forgiveness. The veil that once separated humanity from God was torn, and the way to eternal life, reconciliation, and intimate fellowship with the Creator is now open to all who come through Jesus Christ. It is a reminder that through Jesus, the barrier of sin has been removed, and we can now boldly approach the throne of grace with confidence, knowing that God is not far off but near, available to all who seek Him.