The Rending of the Veil

 Temple Baptist Church - 4-12-2026

Mark 15:37-38

 

Introduction:

A.  At the very moment of our Lord’s death, the veil of the Temple was rent from top to bottom. This was no small event—it was a divine declaration. This morning, I want us to consider the rending of the veil and its importance to the believer.

 

B.  Before Calvary, God consistently used veils—physical and spiritual—to conceal, separate, and reveal truth progressively.

 

1.  The veil that was within the Tabernacle and later the Temple. It was a veil of covering.  It hid the Ark and Mercy Seat from the eyes of sinful men.

 

Exodus 35:12  The ark, and the staves thereof, with the mercy seat, and the vail of the covering,

 

a)  It was a veil of division. The veil of the Tabernacle in the Wilderness kept sinful man at a respectful distance from a thrice-holy God.

 

Exodus 26:33-34  And thou shalt hang up the vail under the taches, that thou mayest bring in thither within the vail the ark of the testimony: and the vail shall divide unto you between the holy place and the most holy.  (34)  And thou shalt put the mercy seat upon the ark of the testimony in the most holy place.

 

b)  This veil or veiling continued into the New Testament in the Temple, as the Old Testament priest operated outside of the veil except for once a year when the blood of atonement was offered.

 

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: 

 

c)  This was no thin curtain. Jewish history records that the Temple veil was about a handbreadth thick—approximately 3 to 4 inches—woven of many strands and exceedingly heavy.  When God tore that veil, He did not tear something fragile—He tore something impossible for man to tear.  From top to bottom—this had to be a supernatural act.”

 

2.  God revealed Himself in veiled ways in the Old Testament.  In the Voice of God that walked in the garden, Theophanies, Christophanies, Anthropomorphisms, smoke and fire, etc.

 

3.  The veil that women wore in ancient times was a covering worn over the face, leaving only the eyes exposed.  Her features were concealed, emphasizing modesty and reserved revelation.  This illustrates a principle: God often works through what is partially concealed before it is fully revealed.

 

a) The Old Testament veil was used to conceal the appearance of women from casual observers. Purity and modesty were carefully protected in earlier days. The bride-to-be remained veiled in the presence of her intended husband until after the wedding.

 

b) The groom-to-be had no idea what her physical features looked like, as her clothing was loose-fitting and her face covered. This reflects a beautiful aspect of our Scriptural marriage today: we are to be drawn by God's will in marriage and to fall in love with the inner beauty of the intended bride.

 

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.

 

C.  Even in these examples, we are reminded that God is still working through a veiled people today.  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.

 

John 17:14-16  I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.  (15)  I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.  (16)  They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.

 

1 John 3:1-2  Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.  (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.

 

D.  All of this brings us to the central truth: The veil was not just a covering—it was a barrier.  It declared that sin separates man from God.

 

1.  The New Testament veil was found in the flesh of Christ. 

 

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; 

 

2.  When Christ died, the veil was torn in two from the top to the bottom, not man reaching up to God, but God reaching down to man.  And remember—this was a veil inches thick, massive, and humanly impossible to tear.

 

a)  This was not incidental.

 

b)  This was not symbolic only.

 

c)  This was supernatural, thus divine.

 

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

 

1.  That the ceremonial dispensation of atonement was now abolished.  Many religions believe that they can approach God through their liturgical services, priestly robes, smoking incense pots, and the Jews through their Passover meal that, today, is a bloodless sacrifice.  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. 

 

a.  Not bound by sacrifice.  Sacrifices are no longer necessary because of Calvary and are not part of New Testament worship. We are no longer under the Law as a means of justification. We know the Truth, and thank God, the Truth has truly made us free. 

 

b.  Not bound by ceremonial law.

 

c.  Free, praise the Lord, free at last!

 

2.  That the Old Testament priesthood was annulled. 

 

a.  The Old Testament priesthood done away with. 

 

b.  The priests represented man to God; the apostles represented God to man; the New Testament believer is an individual priest who can go to God anytime, anywhere, with anything.  Our confession of sinfulness is private and not to be shared with a sinful priesthood.

 

c.  We now have the High Priest, an Advocate, and a Mediator—Jesus Christ the Righteous.  We can now come boldly before the throne of grace and find help in times of need.  We do not go through man—we go through Christ.

 

d.  The Old Testament priest could not be touched while ministering before God—but now, through Christ, we have continual access to Him. 

 

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.  Our Lord Jesus can be touched!  He is touched by the feeling of our infirmities, and we have access to Him, and we can come to Him personally. 

 

a.  He is Lord, but He is also our very personal Savior. We can commune with Him and share our innermost desires and struggles. He walks with me, talks with me, and tells me I am His own! A truly personal relationship with a very personal Savior!

 

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. 

 

b.  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! Well glory!

 

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.

 

John 14:6  Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

 

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.

 

a.  Jesus Christ is the Way to heaven.

 

John 6:37  All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.

 

b.  Jesus Christ is the Door of access by which we enter in.

 

John 10:9  I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.

 

c.  Jesus Christ is our life in this world and the world to come.

 

Colossians 3:4  When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.

 

5.  That sinners can now personally come to Christ for both salvation and rest. 

 

a.  God is not willing that any should perish, but that all should 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.

 

b.  The veil that once said, “Stay out,” now, through Christ, says, “Come in.”

 

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.

 

c.  The veil that once declared separation now declares reconciliation.

 

Conclusion:  And the veil that stood for centuries—thick, strong, and immovable—was torn in a moment when Jesus said, “It is finished.”