Temple Service Ended at Death of Christ

Christ Triumphant - A Devotional by E.G. White

Temple Service Ended at Death of Christ

Today's Text: 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. Matthew 27:51

The Message:      The next day the courts of the Temple were filled with worshipers.... But never had the service been performed with such conflicting feelings. The trumpets and musical instruments and the voices of the singers were as loud and clear as usual, but a sense of strangeness pervaded everything. One after another inquired about the strange event that had taken place. Hitherto the Most Holy Place had always been most sacredly guarded from intrusion....      Only once a year was it entered, and then by the high priest. But now a curious horror was seen on many countenances, for this apartment was open to all eyes. At the very moment that Christ had expired, the heavy veil of tapestry, made of pure linen, and beautifully wrought with scarlet and purple, had been rent from top to bottom. The place where Jehovah had met with the priest, to communicate His glory, the place that had been God's sacred audience chamber, lay open to every eye-a place no longer recognized by the Lord.      Many who at that time united in the services of the Passover never again took part in them. Light was to shine into their hearts. The disciples were to communicate to them the knowledge that the great Teacher had come.      According to their practice, the people brought their sick and suffering to the Temple courts, inquiring, Who can tell us of Jesus of Nazareth, the Healer? Some had come from far to see and hear Him.... They would not be turned away. But they were driven from the Temple courts, and the people of Jerusalem could not fail to see the contrast between this scene and the scenes of Christ's life.      On every side was heard the cry "We want Christ, the Healer." A world without a Christ was blackness and darkness, not only to the disciples and to the sick and suffering, but to the priests and rulers. The Jewish leaders and even the Roman authorities found it harder to deal with a dead Christ than with a living Christ. The people learned that Jesus had been put to death by the priests. Inquiries were made regarding His death. The particulars of His trial were kept as private as possible, but during the time that He was in the grave, His name was on thousands of lips, and reports of His mock trial and of the inhumanity of the priests and rulers were circulated everywhere.-Manuscript 111, 1897 (Manuscript Releases 12:417-419).

Commentary: My friend, from the time that Christ died on the cross, the temple services were no longer needed, for the lamb of God that the services pointed to were fulfilled.  Though the people did not know it, they could not but behold that something had changed.  The way into the most holy place now stood open for all to see. The death of Jesus upon the cross opened the way for all to come boldly to the throne of grace. No longer was the sinner to depend upon types and symbols, for the Lamb of God had come and was sacrificed for us.  "Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need." (Hebrews 4:16). My friend, it is only through the sacrifice that Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God, had made for us that we may be freed from the condemnation of sin.  As we take hold of this great sacrifice made in our behalf, we can come boldly to the throne of grace and receive mercy and pardon. May we all take hold of this great sacrifice, that we may be forgiven of our sins and cleansed from all unrighteousness today. God bless,

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