Faith Connection

The Huge Curtain    Part Two: The Tear                     Matthew 27:51             Victory Bible Class   March 16, 2011

This week we continue a three part series on the veil in the Temple in Jerusalem. 

      The Tear(March 16)

      The Approach(March 23)

When Jesus lived, the temple in Jerusalem was divided by a huge curtain, keeping people out of the 'holy of holies' - the holiest place. The Temple curtain in front of the holy of holies was 22 yards high, 11 yards wide and about 3 inches thick. That would make the weight between 4 to 6 tons. In fact the Talmud notes that it took some 300 priests to carry it. –copied

Matthew 27:51 (NKJV)
Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split,

Luke 23:45 (NKJV)
Then the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was torn in two.

Mark 15:38 (NKJV)
Then the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.

The Tearing of the Veil

ü  Not natural decay

ü  Not caused by earthquake

ü  Torn in only two pieces

ü  From top to bottom (of divine origin)

ü  Coincidence or act of God? (precise moment of “It is finished” cry)

ü  The cry and the tear occurred at 3 PM

ü  The time of the evening sacrifice

ü  The priest was in the Holy Place in front of the veil

ü  God meant the tear to be seen

ü  God meant the tear to be pondered

God is never early or late, but always on time

 “Things don’t just happen to us who love God,

They’re planned by His own dear hand,

Then molded and shaped, and timed by His clock,

Things don’t just happen–they’re planned.--Esther Fields