A Lenten Devotion for Monday, April 7
- ontrakk
- Apr 7
- 1 min read
Matthew 27:50-51
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 torn curtain has been a huge revelation for me. I had never understood the symbolism of the curtain being torn. Still there are times when I imagine Jesus shaking his head in disappointment when he observes me. But the knowledge of God’s approachable forgiveness keeps me in His presence. It allows me to return, on my own, at any moment, to God’s presence.
Holy Lord, forgive me for my sins, and hold me close, I pray. Amen
Becky, transforming
Matthew 27:50-51
I never really realized the symbolism here. I guess I just thought this part of Jesus’s story was that God was doing this to get the attention of those present and send a clear message that Jesus was, indeed, the Son of God but the curtain being torn as a symbol of our open access to God is new to me, it only took almost 7 decades and had to be pointed out to me. I glad that it was.
Heavenly Father, thank you that I have access to you always and forever. Help me to never let anything get in the way of that access. Amen
Matthew 27:50-51
The torn curtain symbolizes a new way to access God. No more divisions and needing others to help us. We now have direct access. We only need ourselves and our belief that he is there listening. We need no priestly intermediary.
Prayer: Gracious God, I can't imagine not speaking directly to you each day. Thank you for this wonderful gift of communication. AMEN
Monday April 7th, 2025 ( 29th day of lent)
Matthew 27:50-51
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. And the earth shook, and the rocks were split.
Jesus only cries aloud one more time and then dies. And that’s it. NO THIS ISNT IT. The curtain separating all “holy of holies”, from the part of the Temple believed to bear God’s presence completely. This curtain was not something easy to cut, let alone tear. For the curtain to be torn in half was remarkable, and this tearing happened from top to bottom. This could only have been done…
Matthew 27:50-51
The symbolism of the temple curtain being torn seems to support the Protestant belief in the priesthood of all believers. Our only mediator is Jesus which would seem to negate the need to go through another human being to seek divine counsel, comfort and forgiveness. The burden of sin can take a great mental, emotional and even physical toll, but if we assume responsibility for our sin in repentance, the tearing of the curtain allows us to take that burden directly to God with nothing and no one in between to remove the guilt.
Prayer - Suffering Jesus, on the Cross You tore the curtain between me and the Father. Have mercy on me in Your steadfast love;…