Sat.’s Devo - The Veils

Read: Exodus 35:10-36:38; Matthew 27:32-66; Psalm 34:1-10; Proverbs 9:7-8 God set the craftsmen to work building all the things for the Tabernacle. The people gave in abundance the materials they would need. God so gifted Bezalel and Oholiab with the gift to make the things needed but also the gift to teach their craft so others could help. The people gave so much that they had to be asked to stop giving. The curtains to surround the Tabernacle and be the walls were massive. They were 45 feet tall and 6 feet wide. Eleven of them were sewn, then Bezalel embroidered them all. They were attached with 50 clips each. The tent itself was covered with a layer of tanned ram skins and a layer of fine goatskin leather. Inside the Tabernacle the curtains were special. They were decorated with cherubim and had gold clasps instead of bronze. Everything in the Tabernacle was to look like Eden and represent our opportunity to enjoy the presence with the Lord. In Matthew, Simon was made to carry Jesus’ cross. Jesus was offered vinegar to numb the pain but refused. The soldiers nailed him to the cross then gambled for his robe. A sign was put above his head which read: “This is Jesus, the King of the Jews.” Two other revolutionaries were crucified on either side of him. People passing shook their heads and mocked him. The leading priests also mocked that he claimed to save others but couldn’t save himself. The two men hanging beside him mocked him also. At noon, darkness fell across the whole land until three. When the light came back Jesus called out, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me.” He was quoting David’s son found in Psalm 22:1. The whole song is his death on the cross. Jesus was referring them to this so they would know that this was foretold. Jesus then released his spirit and died. The veil of the Temple between the Holy Place and the Holy of Holies was rent in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, rocks split apart and godly men and women who had died were raised from the dead. They went into Jerusalem after the resurrection and appeared to people. The Roman officer and other soldiers were terrified by the earthquake and all that had happened and realized that truly Jesus was the Son of God. Joseph of Arimathea went to Pilate and asked for Jesus body. Pilate allowed him to take Jesus body from the cross and wrap it in a long sheet of clean linen cloth. He placed Jesus in his own tomb, rolled a stone across the entrance and left. Mary Magdalene and the other Mary watched as he did this. The next day on the Sabbath, the leading priests went to Pilate and asked him to seal the tomb since they had heard Jesus say he would rise on the third day. They said they didn’t want the disciples to steal his body to make his prophecy come true but I wonder if they weren’t afraid Jesus would truly rise again. Pilate ordered that the tomb be sealed and that armed guards stand watch over it. As if man can stop what God has ordained! We have read about the different veils. The one over Moses’ face so that the people didn’t have to look on the glory of God. The veil or curtains of the Tabernacle. Some were to be a boundary for the people to stay in and some to keep them out. Then there was the veil in the Temple that was to keep the people from going in where the holy presence of the Lord was. That was rent when Jesus died. They were all rent. We now have access to the presence of the Lord anytime we want. Lord, I thank you that your power supersedes anything man can devise. Thank you for giving your son to die for us and thank you, Jesus for laying down your life for us. We are eternally grateful.