Sermon Tone Analysis

Introduction

Genesis 3:8

PRAY

A Historical Sign

And the curtain of the temple was torn in two - To what curtain does Luke refer?

There were at least There were at minimum thirteen curtains in the temple, however this is a reference to THE curtain of the temple.

The curtain identified by Luke is the curtain to the Holy of Holies.

Josephus describe the curtain in Herod’s Temple:

“This house, as it was divided into two parts, the inner part was lower than the appearance of the outer, and had golden doors of 55 cubits altitude, and 16 in breadth.

But before these doors there was a veil of equal size as the doors.

It was a Babylonian curtain; embroidered with blue, and fine linen, and scarlet, and purple, and of texture that was truly wonderful.

Nor was this mixture of colors without its mystical interpretation.

For by the scarlet there seemed to be enigmatically signified fire, by the fine flax the earth, by the blue the air, and by the purple the sea; two of them having their colors the foundation of this resemblance; but the fine flax and the purple have their own origin for that foundation, the earth producing the one, and the sea the other.

This curtain had also embroidered upon it all that was mystical in the heavens, excepting that of the (twelve) signs (of the zodiac) representing living creatures.”

The thickness of the curtain corresponded with its great size, and its strength was according.

This place was where the high priest only went into once every year on the Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16).

At this time, very quickly, the high priest would sprinkle blood on the mercy seat.

Just as the priest are beginning to offer the lambs in celebration of the Passover, the veil is rent or torn in two.

Matthew

The language is plain here.

God miraculously rips the curtain in two.

Similar to the darkness at midday, this makes a statement concerning what Jesus is accomplishing on the cross.

Holy Separation

Before we look closer at at Jesus accomplished, let’s review the purpose of the curtain in the temple.

Why does there need to be separation between God and man?

The prohibitive function of the veil — conveyed implicitly and explicitly in the Old Testament — underscores the restrictions placed upon Israelite worship based on the holiness of God.

This is important because worshipers in the old covenant were restricted in their access to God in the temple, and could approach him only through sacrifice and prayer, and not at any time they chose.

Only a high priest who was ritually pure and without defect could approach Yahweh without being put to death.

The severity of this punishment primarily concerned the holiness of God himself and the sanctity of objects directly related to worshiping him.

Heavenly Access

The rending of the curtain in the temple signified several realities.

Jesus will judge the nation of Israel for their unbelief.

Jesus is the final and true sacrifice for sin.

Jesus is the true Temple of of God.

Jesus is the Great High Priest according to the order of Melchizedek.

Hebrews 10:19-

Practical Application

If God consumed others for not approaching him in the proper way, will he spare you if you reject his Son?

Hebrews 10:26-3

Children of God, we have blessed access to God through Jesus.

Enjoy God, delight in God, love God, know God, pursue God, obey God, live in the newness and the liveliness of the new and living way.

He is Jesus.

You are the perfect and righteous God

Whose presence bears no sin

You bid me come to Your holy place

How can I enter in

When Your presence bears no sin?

Through Him, who poured out His life for me

The atoning Lamb of God

Through Him, and His work alone

I boldly come

I come by the blood, I come by the cross Where Your mercy flows

From hands pierced for me For I dare not stand on my righteousness

My every hope rests on what Christ has done And I come by the blood

1

You are the perfect and righteous God

Whose presence bears no sin

You bid me come to Your holy place

How can I enter in

When Your presence bears no sin?

Through Him, who poured out His life for me

The atoning Lamb of God

Through Him, and His work alone

I boldly come

I come by the blood, I come by the cross

Where Your mercy flows

From hands pierced for me

For I dare not stand on my righteousness

My every hope rests on what Christ has done

And I come by the blood

You are the high and exalted King

The One the angels fear

So far above me in every way

Lord, how can I draw near

To the One the angels fear?

Through Him who laid down His life for me

And ascended to Your side

Through Him, through Jesus alone

I boldly come

I come by the blood, I come by the cross Where Your mercy flows From hands pierced for me For I dare not stand on my righteousness

My every hope rests on what Christ has done And I come by the blood

Josephus describe the curtain in Herod’s Temple:

“This house, as it was divided into two parts, the inner part was lower than the appearance of the outer, and had golden doors of 55 cubits altitude, and 16 in breadth.

But before these doors there was a veil of equal size as the doors.

It was a Babylonian curtain; embroidered with blue, and fine linen, and scarlet, and purple, and of texture that was truly wonderful.

Nor was this mixture of colors without its mystical interpretation.

For by the scarlet there seemed to be enigmatically signified fire, by the fine flax the earth, by the blue the air, and by the purple the sea; two of them having their colors the foundation of this resemblance; but the fine flax and the purple have their own origin for that foundation, the earth producing the one, and the sea the other.

This curtain had also embroidered upon it all that was mystical in the heavens, excepting that of the (twelve) signs (of the zodiac) representing living creatures.”

The thickness of the curtain corresponded with its great size, and its strength was according.

This place was where the high priest only went into once every year on the Day of Atonement.

At this time, very quickly, the high priest would sprinkle blood on the mercy seat.

Just as the priest are beginning to offer the lambs in celebration of the Passover, the veil is rent or torn in two.