Devotions For Lent – Day 2

“A Sermon Without Words”

“The curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom.”
(Matthew 27:51)

Read Romans 8:31-39

In some churches, Ash Wednesday is observed with ashes being used to make the sign of the cross on worshipers’ foreheads. It is a simple visual with a powerful message — a sermon without words. Believers are reminded of the stark words of Genesis 3:19 – “You are dust. And to dust you shall return.”

God often speaks in a sermon without words: in a full fishing net; in a feast for 5000; in an empty tomb. At the moment Jesus died on the cross, God gave another unforgettable sermon without words as the curtain (veil) of the temple was torn in two.

That symbolically meant that all are welcome. No more separation. Take some time to think about and maybe even write about a time when God pulled back the curtain and welcomed you into His presence…

Prayer Starter:
Lord, I often feel unworthy to draw near to you. Thank You for tearing apart the separation and welcoming me in so that . . .

TORN    

It was late morning when the phone rang. The voice was filled with despair amid deep sobbing. We agreed to meet at the church in an hour. When I arrived, I found her. She was standing in the very back of the church. In fact, she was as far back as one can be from the altar. I invited her inside, but she said, “I can’t. I don’t feel worthy to get any closer.”
She was expressing what many feel: “I don’t feel worthy to get closer.” Sin, shame, and many other things can rob us of the confidence and the courage we need in order to draw near to God. But it doesn’t have to be that way…

“Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”
-Hebrews 4:16-

When Jesus died, something happened that often gets overlooked. Matthew 27: 51-52 tells us that the moment He gave up His spirit, “the earth shook, and the rocks were split. The tombs also were opened.” And perhaps most miraculous of all these signs: “The curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom.”
The temple curtain was no ordinary curtain. It measured 60 feet tall, 20 feet wide, and 4 inches thick. Tradition tells us that 300 priests were needed just to carry it. It was not something that was ripped easily! But yet, the moment our Savior died on the cross, it did rip. It ripped from top to bottom, tearing completely into 2 pieces. What no human being could do by human strength, God did by the death of His Son.
The sacrifice of Jesus tore down the veil of sin that separated us from our Heavenly Father. Now, forgiven and redeemed, all believers are welcome to come near to God, to confidently approach our Savior as He sits on the throne of grace.
Over the days leading up to Easter, we will explore & study how the curtain being torn gives us the courage we need to come near to God. As we journey day by day in the Word, we’ll see that it is God’s desire that nothing gets in the way of our drawing close to Him. He will use whatever it takes to give us courage — a cross, an empty tomb, and — yes — a torn curtain.
We will start the journey tomorrow on Ash Wednesday…