Word for the Day March 22 Saturday
By: Evang. Cascille Hammack
"And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, He gave up His spirit. At that moment the curtain
of the temple was torn in two from the top to bottom. The earth shook and the rocks split." Matthew 27:50,51
Jesus said loudly His final Words on the cross when He said, "It is finished"
(John 19:30). This declares the completion of His sufferings and the completed work of redemption for all sinners who
will receive it for all time. The debt for our sin was fully paid and God's plan of salvation fully established.
Then His final prayer to the Father is made, "Father, into your hands I commit My spirit." Luke 23:46
At that minute, the curtain of the temple was torn from the top to the bottom signifying the new way to God
was forever established. Before this time, the curtain separating the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place barred the
way into God's presence. Through His death, Jesus removed the curtain and opened the way into the Most Holy Place,
the presence of God, to all who believe in Christ and His Word. (Hebrews 9:1-14). Hebrews 10:19-23 encourages us,
"Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living
way opened for us through the curtain, that is, His body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw
near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience
and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is
faithful." We may now in thankfulness draw near to God in prayer constantly by this privilege granted to us.
We should never take this lightly. It came at a great price and through the immeasurable love of God toward us who will
believe. Hebrew 4:15,16 instructs, "For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses,
but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are- yet without sin. Let us then approach the throne
of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need."
