What Happened on the Cross

Part 3: The Veil

“Then have them make a sanctuary for me, and I will dwell among them.” Exodus 25:8

In the Old Testament, the Temple was where people could experience God—his healing, blessing, and forgiveness. The curtain in the temple separated the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place. In the Most Holy Place was the Tabernacle, where God’s presence dwelt among the Israelite people. Once a year, a priest would enter the Most Holy Place and atone for the people’s sins.

When Jesus began his earthly ministry, he declared himself to be the temple, meaning he was now the place where people could experience God. He would be their source of healing, blessing, and forgiveness. At the moment of Jesus’ death, the curtain in the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. While many of us recognize this as symbolizing the full access we now have to God, there are also many more layers to understanding this incredible event.