The Veil

Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost. And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent;

Matthew 27:50-51

I was cunningly made by Bezaleel and Aholiab after the pattern Moses saw. This was during the days of the tabernacle’s creation. My name means that which habitually shuts off. I was made of fine twisted linen, blue, scarlet and purple thread. I was hung on hooks of gold, held up by pillars overlaid with gold, which stood in sockets of silver. The Cherubim of heaven adorned my panels. My blue and scarlet thread blending into purple spoke of the one who would be both God and man. The coming one who would be prophet, priest and king. The Cherubim stood watch as the seal of heaven and the threat of judgment against any who would trespass my boundary. Only the high priest once a year could pass through me, and only with the smoke of incense and the blood of atonement.

All the while I watched.

I traveled with the children of Israel as they wandered in the wilderness. The priests took me down when the Lord moved the camp. With me they covered the ark of the covenant so that they could carry it in the middle of the march. When we stopped they hung me again before the ark. Before me, they sprinkled the blood of offerings. Before me they burned incense on the golden altar.

All the while I watched.

Solomon remade me after the same pattern and then again I was remade in the days of Ezra and Nehemiah. I stood as a barrier in the temple before the ark of the covenant. I’ve seen many dark days when the temple was filled with detestable images and altars. I’ve witnessed temple renovations and heaven sent revivals. I stood guard as Jehoiada gave Joash the Testimony and made him King. I watched as Uzziah tried to burn incense before the Lord and was repelled by the priests. I was there the day the angel spoke to Zachariah about his son, John. I’ve heard many prayers and witnessed many amazing things.

All the while I watched.

But then one day, there was a shout. It was a shout of victory. As if a mighty man of valor had won a hard fought battle. The sound didn’t come from the temple but from a hill where men were crucified. This shout of victory signaled the end of my long vigil. No more would I have to be a barrier, a guardian, a cover, a warning or a hindrance. My strong fabric gave way to invisible hands which tore me from top to bottom. I fell away in two pieces revealing the place of the Presence. The strength of that shout caused the earth to quake and the rock to be torn and the graves of the saints to be opened. Only one could do this, only one could end my long service. The Bible speaks of me in regard to this one.

Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; And having an high priest over the house of God; Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.

Hebrews 10:19-22

So, come now to Jesus and find communion with your God. I will no longer hinder you. My duty is ended.