Page 16 - Easter The Untold Story

In the words of Isaiah: "His appearance was so disfigured beyond that of any man and his form marred beyond human likeness. . . . He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces . . . Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows . . . He was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities. . . He was oppressed and afflicted . . . he was led like a lamb to the slaughter . . . he poured out his life unto death . . . he bore the sin of many" (Isaiah 52:14 – 53:12).
The Moment Christ Died
An event of immeasurable significance took place in the temple at Jerusalem the moment Christ died. To comprehend it, we must keep in mind that the temple housed two compartments or rooms: the Holy Place where priests ministered and, blocked off by a veil, the Holy of Holies.
In the Holy of Holies the golden mercy seat was located, picturing the throne of God. Only the high priest, symbolic of Jesus Christ, was allowed to go through the veil into the Holy of Holies, and then only once a year on the Day of Atonement.
Jesus is the true High Priest, who now sits at the right hand of God. His death makes possible our reconciliation to God. "For God was pleased . . . to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his [Christ's] blood, shed on the cross" (Colossians 1:19-20).
At the moment Christ died, the earth trembled and "the curtain of the temple was tom in two from top to bottom" (Matthew 27:51).
Imagine the shock of any priest who happened to be where he could see the veil at the time. The ripping of the thick fabric was from God: It started at the top and went to the bottom of the veil, symbolically allowing direct access to the throne of grace. The torn veil represented the tearing of him who became a sin offering for us (Hebrews 10:20). Those who are cleansed and forgiven as a result of Christ’s death are now able to enter the “Holy of Holies” through him. There is no other way (John 14:6)
"Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place [the Holy of Holies] by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God [the Church], let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith" (Hebrews 10:19-22).
The Passover – Only the Beginning
The death of Jesus Christ paid the penalty for our sins. Could we then be saved if he had not risen from the dead?
The answer is no! Paul wrote: "And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost" (1 Corinthians 15:17-18).