Matthew 27:50-51a “And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and yielded up his spirit. And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom.”

John 17:24 “Father, I want these whom you have given me to be with me where I am. Then they can see all the glory you gave me because you loved me even before the world began!”

Jesus’ final prayer before his passion, sometimes called the High Priest’s Prayer, was that God would preserve those that Jesus loved, those who had believed and followed him and those that would ever after believe and follow him. It was his heart’s desire that we be where he is. That didn’t mean on the cross. Jesus knew he would one day in the not too distant future ascend back to his place in heaven. If he was to return to the Father, and we were to be where he was, then the thing that separated us from the Father had to be removed…torn down. That is what the veil symbolized – torn from the top down as though by the hand of God himself. Jesus would sit at the right hand of God. In order for us to enter his presence, the Holy of Holies, the place where God was, had to be open to us. Our High Priest did that for us. Nothing separates us any longer from being able to come boldly into the presence of God (Heb. 4:16)…boldly because our High Priest is already there paving the way. The door is now open – the way is now clear. What are you waiting for?

Pray: “Dearest Father, forgive me for taking for granted the opportunity to come before you. I have never known a time when that was not available. I am blessed to live in the days after the veil has been torn and the door opened. Help me to never again lightly consider the privilege of coming before you. It was through pain, and agony and blood that the veil was torn. I had no sacrifice to make. It was done for me. I will ever respect you and my blessed Lord who longs for me to join you in prayer, in praises and in thanksgiving. Holy are you my God, and blessed is my Savior and High Priest who covered me in is righteousness that I might join you…in Jesus precious name -Thank you.”