TEXT: Mt27:51, Mk15:38 and Lk23:45 (Various)
TIME & PLACE: 30/03/08 ELBC
SUBJ: Topical
(Renting of the Veil)
THEME:
P/S: E.P. CAN UNDERSTAND
WHY THE
T/S: BY REALIZING
3 SIMPLE YET PROFOUND REASONS
WHY AS REVEALED IN THE SCRIPTURES.
INTRO: Last
week we looked at “What All The Commotion Was
About” in regards to the earthquake at the resurrection of Christ and while
looking at that and studying on it I was once again reminded of the veil being
rent in the preceding chapter. It caught my attention then and has always
caught my attention when I read it. It has been the topic of much conversation
over the years, so I want to look at it this week and see if we can glean
anything from it and look more importantly at its significance. I truly do not
believe that anything that took place that day or leading up to that day,
concerning Christ is of no significance. I also believe with something as
important as this taking place that the Veil being rent did have some profound reason
in the totality of all that took place. We can find that it is mentioned in 3
out of the 4 Gospels. 3 of those being called the Synopitic
Gospels (Mt, Mk & Lk) because they present a
synopsis or general view of the same series of events. Matthew is the 1st
book mentioning it and it is where we are looking this morning. Mt 27:51
And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the
bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent; Then
we can find it in Mk 15:38 And the veil of the temple was
rent in twain from the top to the bottom. And
then lastly we find it in Lk 23:45 And the sun was darkened, and
the veil of the temple was rent in the midst.
So we see can conclude that this
was an important event. Now before I get into my thought this morning concerning
the Veil being rent or torn I want to look at some reasons 1st for
the Veil being in place in the
·
Because of SOVEREIGNTY – A Sovereign God dictated
and mandated that there be a partition between the clean (Holy) and the unclean. Eph 2:14 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath
broken down the middle wall of partition between us;
·
Because of SEPARATION – Man was and had been
separated from a one on one relationship and eternal immortal existence from
God since his fall in the Garden of Eden. Immediately after mans sin and
separation from God he was separated by a Veil, if you will, that restricted
his access to God. We find this account in Gen 3:24 So
he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden
Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the
tree of life. We
do know as I have said before that they still had to present an offering at
this “door” yet they could not go in and have access with God as
before. Gen 4:7 If thou doest well, shalt thou
not be accepted? and if thou doest not well,
sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt
rule over him.
·
Because of SINS – We have already alluded to this,
but the Veil was there because OUR Sins had separated us from having a one on
one communion with God. Isa 59:2 But your iniquities have separated between you and
your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.
·
Because of a SYSTEM – God had ordained a system from
The Garden of Eden, throughout the Wilderness in the Tabernacle and then into
Solomon’s
So we
see that a Sovereign God was Separated from Sinful man
based upon a System that God Himself ordained and only one thing could change
it. And that is what brings us to where we are in verse 51 of Matthew….. And, behold, the veil of the
temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did
quake, and the rocks rent; With that being said I want to look at this event that took place that
day and the impact of it that day bringing to an end a System that had been put
in place since the Garden of Eden. I want to Preach on this
thought……”WHY WAS THE TEMPLE VEIL RENT?”…….
I.
THE PAYMENT WAS PRESENTED
Note: Why was the Temple
Heb 10:1-10 For the
law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the
things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually
make the comers thereunto perfect. 2 For then would they not have ceased to be
offered? because that the worshippers once purged
should have had no more conscience of sins. 3 But in those sacrifices there is
a remembrance again made of sins every year. 4 For it is not possible that the
blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins. 5 Wherefore when he cometh
into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body
hast thou prepared me: 6 In burnt offerings and
sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure. 7 Then said I, Lo, I come (in the
volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God. 8 Above when he
said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin thou
wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein; which are offered by the law; 9
Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second. 10 By the which
will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once
for all.
A.
IN ITS FULFILLMENT vs1/vs7 For the law having
a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can
never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make
the comers thereunto perfect.
vs7 Then said I, Lo, I come (in
the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God.
B.
IN ITS FAULTLESSNESS vs10a By the which will we are sanctified through
the offering of the body of Jesus Christ
C.
IN ITS FINALITY vs10b ……..once for all. !!!!!!!
The Hymn writer said it this way....Free from the Law, oh
happy condition, Jesus has bled, and there is remission; cursed by the law and
bruised by the fall, Grace hath redeemed us “Once for All!”
Note: When the
II.
THE PREISTHOOD WAS PERFECTED
Note: The
A.
IN ITS SUPPLIER vs11-12 And every priest standeth daily ministering
and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins:
12 But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat
down on the right hand of God;
B.
IN ITS SACRIFICE vs14 For by one offering
he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.
C.
IN ITS SATISFACTION vs18 Now where remission
of these is, there is no more offering for sin.
Note: Christ Supplied, Sacrificed and
Satisfied the Priesthood of God and thus signifying “WHY” the
III.
THE PATHWAY WAS PREPARED
Note: Why was the
A.
IN ITS AVENUE vs22a “Let us draw near with a true heart”
B.
IN ITS ACCEPTANCE vs22b “in full assurance of faith,
having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with
pure water”
C.
IN ITS AVAILABILTY vs23 “Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without
wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)”
Note: When The Temple Veil was Rent...it
was for an Avenue, for Acceptance (believe it) and it was Available to
all…..because the Pathway was Prepared! It is now available to all and for all.
Christ died so that you and I could have eternal life again and we could be
reunited back to a relationship with Him that was lost in the Garden of Eden.
Appl: If God did all this when the Veil
was Rent...... Presented the Payment, Perfected the
Priesthood and Prepared the Path….then what is holding you up. He has
done it all so that you and I could be restored back to what He always desired
from mankind and that was a loving relationship. With that being said if you
don’t know Him as Saviour today what could possibly be holding you back?
Inv: Hymn 220 “The Love Of God”