Today's Passage - Matthew 27:51-56

River of Life Christian Church ︳www.rolcc.net/english Matthew 27:51-56    At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split and the tombs broke open. The bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. They came out of the tombs after Jesus' resurrection andenter into the holy city and appeared to many people. When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, "Surely he was the Son of God!" Many women were there, watching from a distance. They had followed Jesus from Galilee to care for his needs...   When Jesus died on the cross, "the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom." This had never happened before. If you've read the Torah by Moses, you'd know that the curtain in the temple was one panel of cloth made from thin linen threads of three colors; it's very sturdy and doesn't easily fall apart. This curtain was placed between the sanctuary and the Holy of Holies; the Holy of Holies symbolizes the presence of God, and only the High Priest could go inside once a year. During the Old Testament time, people were fearful of God because God is holy and righteous, and no one with sin could stand before God. Even when the High Priest entered the Holy of Holies every year, he would be filled with fear; he would bath himself and remain silent for three days and three nights before going inside the Holy of Holies. When he's inside, there were bells tied to his robe; others knew that the High Priest was still alive by the sound of the bells. Also, a rope was tied to the High Priest; if he wasn't clean and died inside, people could drag his body out with the rope. All these happened back in the Old Testament time because sin separated God and people back then.   We thank God that, when Jesus died on the cross, the curtain in the temple torn in two from top to bottom, because it revealed that the hindrance of sin between God and people has been removed. People could come directly before Father God through Jesus Christ. Therefore, the author of Book of Hebrews said: "Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body..." We may thus come directly before Father God, and completely receive His grace.   That's why when we pray we would say "we ask in the name of Jesus," because when we pray in the name of Jesus there is authority and power. We can proclaim victory by the authority of Christ that was gave Him victory on the cross. When you pray in the name of Jesus, your sin will be forgiven, your soul will be released, and your body will be healed. As long as you pray by faith, you will experience the authority that the name of the Lord brings you. The salvation on the cross was not just a great sacrifice, but also a great miracle and testimony. We need to remember how the Lord died for us in our daily life so that we can remember how to live for the Lord. No matter what kind of circumstance you are in - may it be sickness, hardship, or even frustration and weakness, never forget the promise by the Lord: "The punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed."     Pray with Pastor Tong     Lord, we thank you for opening a new and living way for us, so that we may come before you without any fear. Please give us more faith so that we may experience all your grace and authority. I thank you and I pray in the victorious name of Jesus, amen!