December 12

The Rent Veil

Then Jesus called out in a loud voice, “Father, into Your hands I commit My Spirit.” And when He had said this, He breathed His last. — Luke 23:46 BSB

The veil represented the barrier between God and humanity. Behind it, in the Holy of Holies, was where God’s presence dwelled. People couldn’t pass through the veil; it symbolized that sinners couldn’t approach God, as the way to Him was not yet open. Once a year, the high priest entered the Holy of Holies, which hinted at access to God, but only through a priest. He always entered with blood, signifying that only by sacrifice could God be approached. The high priest was a foreshadowing of Christ, and his yearly entry with blood was a symbol of Christ’s ultimate sacrifice when He entered with His own blood to atone for sin.

When the veil was torn at Christ’s death, it wasn’t an accident caused by the earthquake—it was a divine act, filled with meaning. From that moment, people were no longer excluded from God’s presence. The barrier had been broken by Christ’s sacrifice, and the symbol of separation was removed. The tearing of the veil was a supernatural event, declaring that the way to God was now open to everyone.

The fact that the veil was torn from top to bottom emphasizes that the opening was complete. The veil was gone, and the path to the mercy seat was open to all sinners without the need for a human priest. The timing of the veil's tearing is significant—it happened just after Jesus died, after He cried, “It is finished.” Because the atonement was made, access to God was granted, and from that moment, the way to God was open to everyone.