The symbolism of this truth found in Matthew 27:50-51 is breathtaking. The scene is the cross, the crucifixion of Jesus: “And when Jesus had cried out 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.” From the days of Moses, the temple had been the symbolic dwelling place of God. It had two rooms, one room was called the Holy Place, the other was known as the Holy of Holies or Most Holy Place. The curtain spoken of in Matthew 27:51 separated the two. Four inches thick and beautifully woven with a mosaic of cherubim (Ex. 26:31-36), only the high priest could pass through the curtain and enter into the most sacred place. He did so only once a year. Yet, at the exact moment of Jesus’ death everything changed. In an act only possibly by God, the curtain was torn from top to bottom symbolizing that the separation between God and man had been ripped open as well.
We can know God! Through an experiential relationship, we have been invited to know the God of the universe in an intimate manner. This One who knows and loves every detail about us longs to share Himself and His life with us. So great was God’s desire that He ordained we would experience this fullness of life only as we walk in intimacy with Him. This is the meaning of John 17:3: “For You (God) granted Him (Jesus) authority over all people that He might give eternal life to all those You have given Him. Now this is eternal life: that they know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom You have sent.” Jesus came to give mankind eternal life. It’s a life that begins at salvation. We not only receive unending years with God, but an abundant, joy-filled life now through God’s Spirit who lives in us. John 10:10 draws a stark contrast: “The thief comes only to kill, steal and destroy; I have come that you may have life and have it to the full.” With God’s children, Satan seeks to kill, steal and destroy our abundant life on this earth by thwarting our intimacy with God. His usual tactics are fear and rejection.
You may have been the target of a lie, one specifically designed for you. Possibly it was a lie invoking fear of what intimacy with God might mean, or fear of the changes it could bring. Maybe it came in the form of rejection. This was true with me. Satan got me to believe that though God wanted intimacy with some people, He didn’t want it with me. Whatever his lie, the primary motive is to block the intimacy you can have with God, thereby destroying the abundant life He has for you now.
Abundant life is found through a relationship of intimacy with God. It’s a relationship God longs to have with you! Think about it, God created you! Only Satan would try to convince you that He now wants nothing to do with you or His ways aren’t best for you. James 4:8 says, “Come near to God and He will come near to you.” The Old Testament parallel is Jeremiah 29:13, “You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all of your heart.” One of the most powerful prayers you can speak is, “Lord, I want to accurately and experientially know you.” Then, start seeking. Read His Word. Talk to Him. Acts 17:27 says that when you find Him (or more accurately, you open yourself up to HIm), you will discover that He was never far away.
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