“And Jesus uttered a loud cry and breathed his last. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom” (Mark 15:37-38 ESV).
At the sound of Jesus’ last cry, the thick curtain separating the Holy of Holies from the rest of the temple, was rent from top to bottom, opening the way. This must have been quite startling to the priests who witnessed it during the exact time of afternoon prayers. For it was at the “ninth hour” that Jesus cried out, which was the final time of daily prayers.
The Jews counted time from sunrise at 6AM which they called the “first hour,” so the “ninth hour” would have been 3PM. There were three daily prayer times, except on the Sabbath when there were four. The daily prayer times were: Morning prayers at 9AM, Midday prayers at Noon, and Afternoon prayers at 3PM. It was during the third prayer time that Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying “It is finished!” (John 19:30). And the temple veil was torn asunder.
From that moment, Jesus, our Great High Priest, opened up “a new and living way” by His blood, so that we are able to enter the “Holiest” place and bring our requests before the Father (Heb. 10:19-22).
Do you understand what Jesus accomplished for us? He took what appeared to be defeat and turned it into victory. He accomplished His mission to pay for our sin and to open up the way for us to be reconciled to the Father.
PRAYER: Dear Father, we are so thankful for the love and sacrifice expressed in the giving of Your Son. It is beyond our understanding, yet it is the fullest revelation of Your love and holiness. We offer ourselves back to You as living sacrifices today, in Jesus’ name, amen.