Mark 15:38-41
“AND THE veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom.”
When Moses erected the tabernacle in the wilderness, provision was made for man to be represented before God at the mercy seat, behind a veil, in the “Holy of Holies.” But this was only once a year—on the day of atonement—and then only the high priest could go in, properly clothed and carrying the blood of sacrifice, which spoke in type of Christ’s blood. The veil separated all others and to look behind it, or venture into that “Holy of Holies” would mean instant death.
This is a most interesting subject and the reader who would like to explore it further will enjoy reading the following scriptures: Exodus 25:8-22; 26:31-35; Leviticus 16; and a summary in Hebrews 9 and part of chapter 10. These portions are recommended for your personal study.
When the Lord Jesus yielded up His life on Calvary, that veil—which was then in its proper place in the temple in Jerusalem—was rent completely open from the top (the work came from above) to the bottom. This was God’s sign that there no longer would be a barrier to men to enter into His presence. The sacrifices of old would no longer be the means of approach, for the blood of Jesus had fulfilled all they spoke of and is the token with which faith takes us to God.
Who could conceive such a detail as the rending of the veil, but God Himself? It is a most important principle for every believer to grasp. Among the many evidences of God’s pleasure and satisfaction with the work of His Son on Calvary, this was the first outward token shown to man, and the Holy Spirit has been! pleased to emphasize its importance to us. Hebrews 10:19-22 explains the new position beautifully: “Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way, which He hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, His flesh; and having a high priest over the house of God; let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith...”
In the immediate vicinity of the cross there was no voice heard pro claiming the Lord’s Person, except that of the dying thief, whose cry to Jesus was noted in our last reading. No doubt there were some in that crowd who truly loved Him and owned Him in their hearts, but were not bold enough to speak out. Yet God would have one more testimony, and this from a Gentile: “And when the centurion, which stood over against Him, saw that He so cried out, and gave up the ghost, he said, Truly this man was the Son of God.” v. 39. We do not know how real the conviction was to the centurion’s conscience, but his expression surely voiced the belief of many who had witnessed the Saviour in His life as well as His death.
A company of women who loved Him and had ministered to Him in His life, were also “looking on afar off.” Too timid and fearful to remain in the forefront of that rough crowd, they watched with sorrowing hearts the death of the One who had touched their hearts. Among these were three specially mentioned — Mary, the mother of Jesus; Mary Magdalene; and Mary the wife of Cleophas, who at first stood near the cross, but who apparently shrank from the violence of that scene and joined the other women “afar off.” Their hearts soon express their love to the blessed One, as we shall see in following verses.
ML-06/21/1964