Let us draw near. Hebrews 10:15-25

The description of Solomon’s temple, as it is recorded in 1 Kings 6-8, is magnificent.  The entire complex was situated atop Mount Moriah and eventually covered over 30 acres of land.  The exterior of the building would have practically glowed as the sun reflected off the white stone, but it was the interior of the temple that captured attention.  The temple was divided into two main spaces. The Holy Place and the Most Holy place.  The Holy Place was not unlike our sanctuary’s nave, that is the space in which you are currently seated.  Except in length, width, and height it was twice the size of our nave.  The Holy Place was beautifully covered from floor to ceiling with gold and precious stones.  Impressive though the Holy Place would have been it was the Most Holy Place that was truly awesome, with a capital AWE.  Like our chancel, the Most Holy place was located at what we would call the front of the worship space.  The Most Holy Place was about the same width as our chancel but it was twice as high as these stone walls and twice as deep from our front step to our back wall.  Speaking of steps, the Most Holy Place was likely elevated even higher than our chancel, which required the High Priest to ascend steps to enter the space (which he was only allowed to do once a year on the great day of atonement).  A noticeable difference between our chancel and the Most Holy Place would have been the fit and finish of the Most Holy Place.  Where our pulpit and font are situated stood the statues of two giant angels called cherubim.  These statues were massive.  The wingspan of each angel spread approximately 18 feet. Between them, where our altar now stands was the ark of the covenant which held the two stone tablets of God’s law.  This entire space and everything in it were covered with gold, but the glittering of gold was nothing compared to the glory of the LORD that filled the Most Holy Place.

The reason the LORD God had this magnificent temple built and then chose to fill it with His glory was because the LORD God desired to draw near to His people, but the LORD God knew, because of their sin, the people could not bear to draw near to Him.  The people were guilty of greed and jealousy, desire and hatred, pride and arrogance, and all the other sins that are common to humanity.  The LORD God wished to draw near to His people but knew, because of their sin, they were unable to draw near to Him.  Therefore, as he had concealed himself in a cloud atop mount Sinai, The LORD God concealed Himself behind a curtain that separated the Most Holy Place from the Holy Place; that separated sinful people from the Holy God.

For centuries, both in Solomon’s originally temple and in Herod’s rebuilt replica, a thick curtain hung in the great temple separating the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place; separating the people from their God… that is until one day the hand of God tore it in two. It was perhaps 3 in the afternoon when it happened.  It is unlikely there were as many in attendance as there are here tonight, but a good number of priests would have occupied the Holy Place as they prepared for the evening sacrifice, maintained the lamps, and burned incense.  No doubt there was already an uneasiness in the air.  The entire city was in an uproar over a Rabbis from Nazareth named Jesus.  The chief priest had charged him with blasphemy and condemned him to death because he claimed to be the Son of God.  Pilate had given them permission to execute this Jesus of Nazareth and He was currently hanging on a cross not far from the temple (we will talk more about that tomorrow night).  In the temple the priests went about their duties the best they could.  For the past three hours the sun ominously stopped shinning, and an unsettling darkness came over the whole land.  Suddenly the earth beneath the priests’ feet began to quake and that’s when it happened.  The great curtain that had for centuries separated sinful people from the Holy God inexplicably tore in two; from top to bottom completely torn in two.  The barrier that separated sinful people from Holy God was gone.

Though the priest were likely too bewildered to note the timing of the event, saint Matthew tells us, “50… when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit.  51 At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.”[1] and saint Mark tells us, “37 With a loud cry, Jesus breathed his last. 38 The curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.”[2] and saint Luke tells us “the curtain of the temple was torn in two. 46 Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” When he had said this, he breathed his last.”[3]

As the author of the Letter to the Hebrews explains, the timing of the tearing was not a coincidence.  Not until the debt of our sin had been paid by our suffering Savior and the guilt of our transgression had been washed away by His blood; not until Jesus gave up His last breath did the temple curtain tear.  For there was no longer need of it.  There was no longer a need to separate the people from the LORD God.  The sins of greed and jealousy, desire and hatred, pride and arrogance, and all the other sins that are common to humanity had been forgiven and forgotten.  The people could now stand upon the threshold of the Most Holy Place and before the glory of the LORD God Himself without fear of pain or punishment because Jesus had endured their pain, Jesus had received their punishment.  They who had been forgiven and washed clean, could now draw near to the LORD God who wished to draw near to them.

The LORD God still desires to draw near to His people.  The LORD God desires to draw near to you.  And because of Jesus suffering and death on the cross drawing near to the LORD God is something that we can do!  “19 Therefore, brothers [and sisters], since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, … 22 let us draw near to God” who in His grace and mercy wishes to draw near to us.  In just a few moments I will invite you to come and stand upon the threshold of the Most Holy Place.   Here, instead of giant angels towering over you will see a far less impressive messenger standing before you.  Here instead of an ark containing commandments you will see an altar containing the body and blood of your Savior Jesus.  And though you approach with hands, and mouth, and mind stained with sin, here, instead of pain and punishment, you will receive pardon and peace.  Here, in this supper you will draw near to the LORD God who draws near to you. 

Solomon’s temple would have been a magnificent place in which to worship, but I prefer worshiping here with you.  Here there is no curtain separating our Holy Place from our Most Holy Place, Here there is nothing separating me and you for the LORD God.  Here, because of Jesus, we get to draw near.  Amen

[1] Matthew 27:50-51

[2] Mark 15:37-38

[3] Luke 23:45-46