'Rending' of temple veil an attack on hypocrisy and elitism

Be reminded that it was in the darkness of The Beginning that God indeed worked.

Gen 1:1-3 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

2 And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.

3 And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.

Often you look at darkness or into darkness and think sad thoughts or even depressing thoughts. Yet, God showed forth the greatness of creativity in the darkness. God showed us that light (natural light) represents Light (Jesus, The Light) in dark moments.

Hence, instead of being afraid of the dark, you ought to think about the potential of light and the amount of creativity that is about to come forth out of that dark moment.

Now, back to the cross. Jesus hung there and light became veiled by a total cloak of darkness. Yet, Jesus (Light in darkness) was still at work.

One of the contrary works done during the earth-eclipse (total darkness) was the rending of the veil in the temple.

Mat 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.

The rending of the temple veil was an earth-quaking event. Why?

Previously, the veil had given power to a certain group of people, for up to that time only the priesthood could enter beyond the veil.

Symbol

Hence, the real deal was that the veil became a symbol of classism, racism, and sexism. Ironically, the veil that was supposed to provide a way for the relationship between God and man (through the representation of priests on behalf of the people) became a place of position and prestige rather than a place to intercede for the people.

The veil had lost its ability to fulfill its purpose. The veil “turned the people off”, rather than turn the people towards God. That is what elitism will always do.

The veil did not represent The Light. The veil did not represent The Lamb. The veil did not represent Jesus. Hence, as Jesus hung on the Cross, He became a manifestation of the new veil, and the old veil was done away with. It was torn by the mighty hand of God.

The veil no longer separated; the way was opened up. The veil was no longer a mystery.

No, it was now able to be seen by you and me. The veil was no longer about a certain group of people having a privilege. No, all would be privileged to enter in. The veil was rent in two. Any time someone “rent” something in the Bible it was a showing that something had been lost. Something or someone was gone.

I believe that God rent the temple veil showing all that the mindset of what the veil had come to represent was gone.

That is because bigotry, hypocrisy, prejudice, and a disdain for the little people were gone.

I believe God “mourned” the loss of His original purpose for the veil, but at the same time He clearly welcomed the new era of the open veil — a sign that Heaven was open directly to the heart of the people, all of the people.

The veil was supposed to only allow a certain group of men into the Most Holy place. Yet, on that day, at the same time the sun was darkened, a work was carried out in the dark. In the dark, the temple veil was rent in two.

No longer was the Holy Place only to be available for rent to the hoity-toity, but the Chief Rent Commissioner, Jesus The Christ, opened up that place for all to be able to go in. 

Be mindful that all have sinned and come short of God’s glory and therefore all must consider it an honour to enter into a holy place and have an opportunity to commune with God.

The veil is now open. Are you open to the veil?

Respice finem.

Dr. Maria A. Seaman is the Pastor of Shekinah Worship Centre, located at 98 North Shore Road, Hamilton Parish CR 01.