2 Corinthians 3:14-16 ESV  (14)  But their minds were hardened. For to this day, when they read the old covenant, that same veil remains unlifted, because only through Christ is it taken away.  (15)  Yes, to this day whenever Moses is read a veil lies over their hearts.  (16)  But when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed.

Hebrews 10:19-22 ESV  Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus,  (20)  by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh,  (21)  and since we have a great priest over the house of God,  (22)  let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.

Dear Fellowship of the Burning Heart:

Consider: the ministry of the holy place was constantly conducted day in and day out. But whenever the priest glanced behind the altar of incense, an obvious barrier existed that separated him from the special presence of God in the most holy place, a veil whose beauty and artistry did nothing to solve the problem of separation.

Only once a year by the high priest on the Day of Atonement was this barrier crossed as he drew back the veil at the corner and stepped into the most holy place with the blood of the sacrifice to sprinkle on the mercy seat atop the ark of the covenant. So holy was this ritual and so awesome the presence of God in the most holy place that it is said the high priest had a rope tied to his ankle so that, should the sacrifice be unacceptable or the high priest perish, they might drag his body from the most holy place.

Of course, we think of barriers as negative objects to be overcome. But in this case the barrier served as a protection, for neither the priests nor the people were prepared to stand in the presence of a holy God and survive. The sin which separated them from their God was too great and could not be remedied by the blood of bulls and goats.

The Day of Atonement stood as a sign that a remedy existed and, when applied, would remove the barrier and make a way into the presence of God. We now realize that the remedy was the death of our Savior on the cross. His payment for sin is sufficient to remove the barrier and make the way open for us to enjoy an intimate relationship with God. We can now “draw near” to God with confidence. Matthew notes in his gospel that the veil in the temple was torn in two from top to bottom as Jesus yielded his spirit, surrendering in death to the Father’s will, and making a permanent way into the most holy place.

Matthew 27:50-51 ESV  And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and yielded up his spirit.  (51)  And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. And the earth shook, and the rocks were split.

So, what is keeping you from enjoying this relationship with God. St. Paul indicates that a veil remains today over the hearts of unbelievers, separating them from God. But the veil is not an external barrier; it is an internal one. Unbelief blinds them to the truth.

2 Corinthians 4:3-4 ESV  (3)  And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing.  (4)  In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

For those who have opened their hearts and placed their trust in Jesus Christ, the veil has been lifted. The author of Hebrews indicates that the flesh of Christ was torn on the cross so that the veil could be torn in the temple. The door is open, the way clear. We only need to enter. Intimate fellowship awaits. What a liberating experience to know the the love of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

2 Corinthians 4:6 ESV  For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.