Now you can see him. So believe! Matt. 27:50-54

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And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit. At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split and the tombs broke open. The bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. They came out of the tombs after Jesus’ resurrection and went into the holy city and appeared to many people. When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, “Surely he was the Son of God!”
Can you imagine what it must have been like in Jerusalem the moment Jesus died on the cross? If you have to, read the passage again.

Dude, the dead came to life! They arose in their tombs, dusted themselves off and walked into town! The earthquake that struck Jerusalem was so strong the curtain of the temple split. Now, keep in mind, this wasn't your typical curtain. We have puny wimpy curtains hanging in our living rooms. The temple curtain? That was one huge veil. According to Josephus, a first century Jewish historian, the veil was about 60 feet high and 4 inches thick. It was so huge that horses tied to each side could not pull the veil apart.

And when Jesus died, the curtain, the veil that separated the Most Holy Place (Heb. 9:3) from the sin of man, split in two. God literally removed the wall between us and him when Jesus died on the cross. God literally opened us to new life with him when Jesus died on the cross. God literally removed the veil so that we can come close to him.

Jesus died for you. Jesus died for me. Jesus died for us, so that we can be near God.

This is amazing news!

You don't have to do anything to find this new favor with God. He will do the work for you, if you will just believe in Jesus. Believing in Buddha doesn't cut it; Buddha is another god. Believing in one of the thousand Hindu gods isn't going to cut it. Believing in Allah isn't going to cut it. Those gods ask you to do something to find favor. Those gods ask you to do something to go to heaven. Those gods are frauds!

Jesus? He doesn't ask anything of you.

Jesus went to the cross so you can believe. He is the Son of God, who has been calling us to love God and love our neighbors. He has been calling us to turn to God for our every need.

Are you lonely? God will provide. Are you hungry? God will provide. God so loved you that he died for you, and tore the veil in two, so that you can see him, so that you can believe in him, so that you can be with him.

Now, what are we waiting for?

Believe!

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