Matthew 27:45-51
45 Now from the sixth hour darkness fell upon all the land until the ninth hour. 46 About the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” that is, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” 47 And some of those who were standing there, when they heard it, began saying, “This man is calling for Elijah.” 48 Immediately one of them ran, and taking a sponge, he filled it with sour wine and put it on a reed, and gave Him a drink. 49 But the rest of them said, “Let us see whether Elijah will come to save Him.” 50 And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up His spirit. 51 And behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth shook and the rocks were split. 52 The tombs were opened, and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised; 53 and coming out of the tombs after His resurrection they entered the holy city and appeared to many. 54 Now the centurion, and those who were with him keeping guard over Jesus, when they saw the earthquake and the things that were happening, became very frightened and said, “Truly this was the Son of God!”—Matthew 27:45-51
Several miracles occurred at the death of Jesus, but perhaps the most significant was when the temple veil was torn from top to bottom. Beyond the sheer force that would have been physically required to tear such a large and dense object, the spiritual symbolism was far more significant. The word ‘holy’ means ‘separate,’ and indeed, sin separated man from God. The temple veil separated the Holy of Holies (where God’s presence resided) from the rest of the temple, and only the High Priest could access it. The death of Jesus changed everything.
Several miracles occurred at the death of Jesus, but perhaps the most significant was when the temple veil was torn from top to bottom. Beyond the sheer force that would have been physically required to tear such a large and dense object, the spiritual symbolism was far more significant. The word ‘holy’ means ‘separate,’ and indeed, sin separated man from God. The temple veil separated the Holy of Holies (where God’s presence resided) from the rest of the temple, and only the High Priest could access it. The death of Jesus changed everything.
Discussion Questions
1. Background and History: Ask different people to read these verses aloud: Exodus 26:31, Exodus 36:35, and 2 Chronicles 3:14. What do we learn about the veil from these verses?
2. Separation: Ask different readers to read these verses aloud: Exodus 26:33, Exodus 40:21, and Leviticus 16:2. The veil represented God’s separation from man. What impact do you think that had on the people? How did it shape their understanding of God? Does that point of view exist today?
3. Cherubim: Read Genesis 2:22-24. God drove sinful man from the Tree of Life in recognition of his need for a new, sinless life. Cherubim guarded the presence of God from sinful man as the consequence of his sin. What do you think Adam and Eve’s reaction might have been? Now, have different people read Exodus 26:31, Exodus 36:35, and 2 Chronicles 3:14. Why would God decorate the veil with images of Cherubim? What does this add to our understanding of the symbolism of the veil?
4. Jesus Changed Everything: Read Hebrews 10:19-25. How is our understanding of the veil changed by the death and resurrection of Jesus? The old covenant told people to stay away from the presence of God. What are we instructed now to do? How many instructions can you find in verses 22-25? List them out. Do you neglect any of them?
5. What’s Ahead: Read Revelation, Chapter 4. What is your impression of this scene to come?
6. Living a Transformed Life: How does Jesus’ sacrifice empower us to live differently now and in anticipation of our existence in eternity?
2. Separation: Ask different readers to read these verses aloud: Exodus 26:33, Exodus 40:21, and Leviticus 16:2. The veil represented God’s separation from man. What impact do you think that had on the people? How did it shape their understanding of God? Does that point of view exist today?
3. Cherubim: Read Genesis 2:22-24. God drove sinful man from the Tree of Life in recognition of his need for a new, sinless life. Cherubim guarded the presence of God from sinful man as the consequence of his sin. What do you think Adam and Eve’s reaction might have been? Now, have different people read Exodus 26:31, Exodus 36:35, and 2 Chronicles 3:14. Why would God decorate the veil with images of Cherubim? What does this add to our understanding of the symbolism of the veil?
4. Jesus Changed Everything: Read Hebrews 10:19-25. How is our understanding of the veil changed by the death and resurrection of Jesus? The old covenant told people to stay away from the presence of God. What are we instructed now to do? How many instructions can you find in verses 22-25? List them out. Do you neglect any of them?
5. What’s Ahead: Read Revelation, Chapter 4. What is your impression of this scene to come?
6. Living a Transformed Life: How does Jesus’ sacrifice empower us to live differently now and in anticipation of our existence in eternity?