The Torn Curtain

Another one of those "sub-stories" surrounding the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ that I enjoy thinking about is the main temple curtain that is torn from top to bottom at the moment that Christ dies on the cross. As you might recall, from the time that the mobile tabernacle was used in the desert trek of the Israelites to the magnificent temple in Jerusalem, the Holy Place was separated by the Holy of Holies. No one, except the high priest, entered the Holy of Holies, and he only did that once a year after extensive preparations. My imagination takes over here, but I think that since the crucifixion of Christ was such a big event in Jerusalem, everyone in the religious community probably wanted to be there. I imagine that the priest who was lowest on the "totem pole" probably drew temple duty and all the other priests went to the crucifixion. This priest may have even been a rookie, anxious because he was the only one there, and frustrated because he can't be at the big event. I imagine him standing on the porch of the temple watching the clouds roll in and the light beginning to dim. He probably wondered, like everyone else, what was happening. Then suddenly the earth begins to move, it might have thundered, and lightning may have shot across the sky. While fear from these events begins to invade his mind, he hears a horrible tearing noise coming from inside the temple. Fearfully, he runs into the Holy Place and horror of horrors, the huge 4" thick veil has been torn from top to bottom, the two pieces have been pushed back toward the side walls and the Holy of Holies is exposed. Never in his wildest imagination did he ever believe he would see the Ark of the Covenant. But there it is...terror grips his heart as he gazes on the Ark, because he knows that instant death is the penalty for being in the wrong place in the temple. He expects at any moment to fall to the floor, dead. But nothing happens. He takes a few steps toward the Holy of Holies, then a few more. He gets to the place where the veil is now separated. I can imagine that he quickly pokes his hand across the "line" and then pulls it back, nothing... He does it again, this time his whole arm, nothing... then he jumps in, and quickly jumps out, nothing... Finally he walks into the room and into God's presence. I can imagine this rookie priest experiencing the presence of God like never before. He laughs, he cries, he dances...

I can imagine that at some point, the spirit of God draws this priest to Himself and he is born again. Oh God, on this Easter day, help us to rekindle am infectious love for You that helps us tell the people around us about your wonderful Presence.