The Rending of the Veil

Temple Baptist Church - 4-3-2016

Mark 15:37-38

 

Introduction:

 

A.  At the precise moment of the death of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Bible speaks of the veil of the Temple being rent from top to bottom.  There are so many things that could be preaching concerning the purpose, work, and results of Calvary.  This morning, I want to look at the rending of the veil and its importance to the believer.

 

B.  The spelling of the word “veil” is actually a New Testament word and is only found once in the Old Testament in the Song of Solomon.  Song of Solomon 5:7  The watchmen that went about the city found me, they smote me, they wounded me; the keepers of the walls took away my veil from me.

 

C.  The Old Testament spelling is “vail” but the meaning is the same.  I want to take a short look at the veil or vail this morning as to its meaning and importance.

 

D.  It is always beneficial to go to the first mention of any subject of word so we will do so.  The first mention of “vail” is found in the Book of Beginnings.

 

Genesis 24:62-67  And Isaac came from the way of the well Lahairoi; for he dwelt in the south country.  (63)  And Isaac went out to meditate in the field at the eventide: and he lifted up his eyes, and saw, and, behold, the camels were coming.  (64)  And Rebekah lifted up her eyes, and when she saw Isaac, she lighted off the camel.  (65)  For she had said unto the servant, What man is this that walketh in the field to meet us? And the servant had said, It is my master: therefore she took a vail, and covered herself.  (66)  And the servant told Isaac all things that he had done.  (67)  And Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah's tent, and took Rebekah, and she became his wife; and he loved her: and Isaac was comforted after his mother's death.

 

E.  The Old Testament vail was used to conceal the appearance of the women from the casual eye.  Purity and modesty were carefully guarded in olden days.  The bride to be remained vailed in the presence of her intended husband until after the wedding.  The husband to be had no idea what her physical attributes looked like.  A beautiful type of our Scriptural marriage today: we are to be drawn to the will of God in marriage and to fall in love with the inner beauty of the intended.

 

F.  The Old Testament vail was also a beautiful type of the veiled Bride of Christ in our day. 

 

1 John 3:2  Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.  (The world sees the Church or the Bride of Christ through the veil of our flesh.  We are not yet perfected; we are not yet sinless; we are not yet what we shall one day be but, one day, we shall be like the Lord Jesus Christ when this vail of our flesh is ripped away.)

 

G.  The Old Testament vail was also a means of separation in a spiritual sense.  The vail of the Tabernacle in the Wilderness kept sinful man at a respectful distance from a thrice holy God.

 

Hebrews 9:6-8  Now when these things were thus ordained, the priests went always into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the service of God.  (7)  But into the second went the high priest alone once every year, not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people:  (8)  The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing:  (This vail or veil continued into the New Testament in the Temple as the Old Testament priest continued to operate outside of the veil except for once a year when the blood of atonement was offered.)

 

H.  The New Testament veil was found in Christ.

 

1.   Jehovah God became flesh and dwelt among us and the world missed Him!  As the world looked for a King, He came as a Lamb! 

 

2.  The Son of God walked among men in humility and the world missed Him!  As the world looked for a Sovereign, He came as a Sacrifice!  At the death of Christ, the veil that separated sinful man from a thrice holy God was rent in twain from top to bottom.  Top to bottom!  Man may have nailed Him to the cross but God rent His flesh!

 

Hebrews 10:16-20  This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;  (17)  And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.  (18)  Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin.  (19)  Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,  (20)  By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;  (God tore away the veil of separation at Calvary and opened the door of individual priesthood to every believer.)

 

I.  Let us look at some things that the rending of the veil accomplished.

 

1.  That the ceremonial dispensation was now abolished.  God became accessible to every man and woman through the finished work of Calvary.  The shadow was gone and the type revealed in the death of Christ.

 

Hebrews 9:11-12  But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building;  (12)  Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.  (Sacrifices are no longer needed because of Calvary.  Touch not, taste not are not a part of the New Testament worship of God.  We are free from the Law.  We know the Truth and the Truth hath truly made us free.)

 

2.  That the Old Testament priesthood was annulled.  We now have the High Priest, our Advocate and Mediator—Jesus Christ the Righteous.  We can now come boldly before the throne of grace and find help in the time of need.  We can now personally confess our sins to God the Father through the Lord Jesus Christ.  We do not have to confess to an earthly priest and make personal penitence for sin.

 

1 John 1:9, 2:1  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness … My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:

 

3.  That we now have a High Priest who can be touched.  He is Lord but He is also our personal Saviour.  We can commune with Him and bring our inner most desires and problems to Him.  He walks with me and talks with me and tells me that I am His own!  A very personal relationship with a very personal Saviour!

 

Hebrews 4:15-16  For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.  (16)  Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.  (When the Old Testament priest was purified on the Day of Atonement, he could not be touched by sinful man but the child of God has access to our heavenly High Priest.  We can touch Him!)

 

4.  That salvation is found ONLY in the finished work of Christ at Calvary.  Salvation is not of works but by grace through faith in Christ alone.

 

Acts 4:12  Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.  (Jesus Christ is both the Way to heaven and the Door by which we enter in.)

 

5.  That sinners can now personally come to Christ for salvation and rest.  God is not willing that any should perish but come to repentance.  Jesus Christ died for the sins of the whole world and wills that all men be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth. 

 

Matthew 11:28-30  Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  (29)  Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.  (30)  For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

 

Revelation 22:17  And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.