It was intended to separate the Most Holy Place from the Holy Place. While there were daily duties to be preformed in the area before the curtain, behind the curtain was reserved for the ark . . . for the mercy seat . . . for the glory of God. To go behind the curtain, apart from the once a year appointed time, for the once a year appointed purpose, by the only appointed person, was to invite the wrath of God. The glory dwelt behind the curtain . . . those who were able to draw near to God got only as close as the curtain . . . so what privilege it is this morning to be living behind the curtain?

Yesterday, our pastor encouraged us to stay near the cross as a means of preventing the root of bitterness from taking seed and growing within us. Preaching from Ephesians, he exhorted us with the words of Paul to “be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you” (Eph. 5:32 ESV). By staying near the cross, by considering afresh the lengths to which our God went in order to extend forgiveness to us, we develop a capacity to show compassion, mercy, and forgiveness to those who have wronged or offended us. And so this mornings, as I read in Matthew 27, I drew near to the cross . . .

Leading up to the cross they scourged Him . . . stripped Him and put a scarlet robe on him . . . knelt before Him and mocked Him . . . spit on Him . . . struck Him on the head . . . and then led Him away to crucify Him (27:26-31). And as he hung on that cruel cross . . . the soldiers gambled for the garments they had taken off Him . . . those who passed by wagged their heads at Him and derided Him . . . the religious leaders poked fun at Him, sarcastically calling on Him to show some Son of God miracles . . . and even the robbers, who hung there with Him, joined in and reviled Him. But as much as all that makes me cringe, the worst had to have been when the Father forsook Him. “And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, ‘Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?’ that is, ‘My God, my God, why have You forsaken Me?” (27:46)

And then it happened . . . Jesus cried out with a loud voice . . . yielded up His spirit (no man taking it from Him) . . . “And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom” (27:50-51).

From top to bottom it was torn . . . God’s doing . . . the wall of separation removed . . . the way into the Most Holy place opened up . . . the glory of God made accessible . . . living behind the curtain now available.

“Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that He opened for us through the curtain, that is, through His flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.” (Heb. 10:19-22 ESV)

Confidence to enter the Holy of Holies . . . that’s living behind the curtain. Beholding the glory of God in the face of the Son of God through the indwelling Spirit of God . . . that’s living behind the curtain. Drawing near with absolute certainty concerning the things we believe . . . that’s living behind the curtain. Confidently drawing near to the throne of grace to find help in time of need (Heb. 4:16) . . . that’s living behind the curtain. A new and living way . . . all behind the curtain.

Oh, to be, this morning, on most holy ground because of the cross! To behold the glory of His grace . . . to abide in His presence through the Spirit . . . to anticipate a time when faith will give way to sight . . . O glorious life behind the curtain.

Thank you Father for the cross . . .