When Love Broke Through

For over 1,000 years, God’s presence was mostly experienced just once a year, when the high priest entered the Holy of Holies in the tabernacle and then the temple. The Lord’s radiant glory was shielded from view by a thick veil separating the holy place from the Holy of Holies.

Historians say this massive veil was 60 feet long, 30 feet wide, and four inches thick. It was so heavy that 300 priests were needed to lift it, and it was so strong that even a team of horses would have been unable to pull it apart.

Yet something amazing happened when Jesus died for us on Cross: “Jesus cried out with a loud voice, and breathed His last. Then the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom” (Mark 15:37-38). The thick curtain that no one on earth could have torn was torn by God Himself—“from top to bottom” !

Do you see how significant this was?

When Jesus died for you and me, God’s LOVE broke through!

It was love that motivated God to send His only Son to earth in the first place (John 3:16), and that same love was on full display when Christ died for us, even while we were still sinners (Romans 5:8).

But I’m particularly struck by the POWER released when God’s love ripped the temple veil in two, just so lost humanity could come to Him unimpeded. What a dramatic statement that His love would no longer remain behind any veils or religious rituals.

Breaking Through to Him

At Jesus’ birth and then again at the Cross, God broke through to us. And Jesus’ Resurrection three days later proved He was ALIVE forever as our Savior, Lord, and Advocate.

Yet I’m saddened today that so many of God’s people have not fully responded to His great love. Love sent Jesus from Heaven to earth and then to the agony of the Cross. He broke through the temple veil and every barrier our sin had erected.

We should respond to His love by passionately breaking through every barrier that keeps us on the outer courts.

You see, it broke Jesus’ heart when the Believers in Ephesus drifted away from Him and left their “first love” (Revelation 2:1-4). After He had done so much to break through human sinfulness, pride, and apathy, how could they become so distracted by religious activities and the cares of the world that they lost their intimacy with Him?

Later we see Jesus knocking on the door of the church at Laodicea (Revelation 3:14-20). No longer would He rip apart a thick curtain or break through closed doors. Instead, He knocks. He waits. He speaks tenderly, inviting us to hear His loving words and open the door to Him.

Friend, I pray His awesome love will break through to you today, penetrating every barrier and obstacle. May you hear His loving invitation and open your heart wide to Him. The King of Kings wants to come and dine with you!