Matthew 27:50-51 – “Then Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and gave up his spirit. ⁵¹ Just then the temple curtain was torn in two, from top to bottom. The earth shook, and the rocks were split apart.”

As I read, prayed, and meditated on the Word of God today, I was challenged to think! I was challenged to weigh one thought against another. I was challenged to weigh tradition against the actual Word of God.

In Matthew 27:51, at the moment of Jesus’ death, the curtain in the temple that separated the courts was torn from top to bottom. Since we can be certain God places all words and events in the Bible for a purpose, we ask, “Why was the curtain or veil torn? Why from top to bottom?”

Let me suggest:

• The veil/curtain was torn to symbolize that now anyone could enter the presence of God. Now, anyone could enter the inner sanctuary of God. Access to God was open to be seen and entered by “whosoever” will.
• Top to Bottom indicates that God, not religion, grants this access.
•  Access to God is God-initiated.
• Now, there is immediate personal access to God, not just religious leaders.

In Mark 2:21-22, we have the reference to patching garments and Wineskins. That speaks several things not unrelated to Matthew 28. 

• You can’t reform the flesh (carnal nature); it has to be replaced by transformation.
• You can’t just add a few good acts to the unreformed nature and be acceptable.
• To be truly right with God, we must be transformed, not simply reformed.

We can force ourselves to pray, read, go to church, and even witness, but unless the heart is changed, it’s old Wineskins and patching garments.   Total surrender of Everything to Jesus is the only answer.  When we willingly give God access to our whole hearts, He transforms, but never reforms!

David’s prayer in Psalm 51:10-13 gives us the pathway to perfect peace—a pure heart. The heart is the seat of our motives and moral character.
A right or resolute spirit. God will never reject that level of sincerity in pursuit of Him and His purposes.

Fullness of the Holy Spirit or advocate (Paraclete).   Our inner GPS.  The source of our enlightenment and enablement.  Joy comes from total liberation from the stranglehold of sin inside.  The desire to obey is a sustaining force within.

We keep trying to do better, but God desires to make us better.  The doing out of the flesh is a form of reforming.  The doing out of being is Transformation! Don’t focus on doing; focus on being! Therein is true freedom!

Have a great day in God!