New Access to God- Matthew 27:51 (ESV)

And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. And the earth shook, and the rocks were split.

The curtain in the temple set a barrier between the Holy place and the Holy of Holies. The high priest was the only person who was permitted to pass beyond the curtain into the Holy of Holies, and only once a year, on the Day of Atonement.

The curtain being torn in two from top to bottom indicates that the tearing of the curtain was done by God, not by man. It paved the way for all mankind to have access to God. Of course, as Jesus tells us in John 14:6, that access to God comes through Him. Hebrews 10:20 refers to the veil of the temple as His flesh, creating a new and living way for mankind to have access to God. That access is through the shed blood of Christ on the cross. He is our Mediator.

The tearing of the curtain also symbolized the end of the Mosaic sacrificial system. God would no longer accept animal sacrifices for mankind. The sinless life, death, burial and resurrection of Jesus is the only sacrifice God will now accept. We come to God by faith in Christ and His atonement, confession, and repentance. He is not only the way to God, He is the only way.

If you are a Christian, rejoice in your salvation this Easter season. If you have not yet received Christ as your Savior, there is no better time than the present, and that is especially true during the Easter season when the focus is on the resurrection of Christ. He died for us so that we may live for Him. Live for Christ today.