WHY CHRIST DIED Easter #3
Text: Mark 15:16 - 38
Introduction:
A) Veil in Jewish Temple shows distance between God & Man is very great.
1) The Temple was a series of walls.
2) Gentile could in the Court of the Gentiles but no farther unless you were a Jew
3) Then there was the Court of the Women.
4) Jewish woman could come to a wall & only Jewish men could go beyond that wall
5) The priest could go into the Holy Place with its 60 Ft H X 30 Ft W Veil
6) Veil separated priest from Holy of Holies, Mercy Seat there – Place where God dwelt.
B) It was this Veil that barred man's access into the Presence of God.
1) Only Way to God presence was by the Veil.
2) Only One allowed in the Presence of God was the High Priest.
3) Only Time he was allowed was on the Day of Atonement for the Blood of Sacrifice
C) Veil showed the distance between God and Man was great on account of sin.
1) Christ cried “It is finished" the unseen hand of God took that veil & tore it in two.
2) In the ninth hour, the Veil of the Temple was rent in twain from top to bottom.
3) It was precisely at this hour that the priests were ministering in the Temple.
4) As the Mercy Seat became visible, many priests looked on it for the first time.
D) No wonder when Apostles preached the gospel Priest believed message.
1) They saw effect of finished work of Christ
2) The way to God was opened
3) Christ died that He might bring us to God.
I) THINK ABOUT THE DESIGN OF THE VEIL
Why was the Veil hanging there at all?
Why did it rent from the top to bottom?
Word "Veil," which means "to separate"
This Veil hid God from the sight of those who served in the Tabernacle
A) THE PRIDE OF MAN REBUKED BY GOD:
1) Man thought he had right to approach God
2) Had the right to have fellowship with God?
3) The Veil of the Temple spoke its message in unmistakable terms, "No Entry."
4) Once a year High Priest allowed to go into the Holy of Holies, the presence of God.
5) He went to deal with problem of sin
6) Do you recognize you've broken God's Law
B) THE PRICE OF BLOOD REQUIRED BY GOD:
1) For the Veil was not always drawn.
2) Once a year High Priest allowed to enter
3) He went bearing the Blood of Atonement.
4) Blood sprinkled ON & BEFORE Mercy Seat “Without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sin."
II) NOTICE THE DESTRUCTION OF THE VEIL
A) AT DEATH THE VEIL WAS DIVINELY RENT: "From the top to the bottom." Vs 38
1) Temple Veil was about 18 inches thick.
2) In Story of Cross you become conscious of way many were involved in the crucifixion
(a) The Hatred of the Scribes and Pharisee's:
(b) Treachery of Judas: Weakness of Pilate
3) At the Cross God was doing something
(a) Isaiah "It pleased the Lord to bruise Him."
(b) He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us
4) Jesus experienced the Wrath of God that you might enjoy the Love of God.
B) THE VEIL WAS ENTIRELY RENT: "From the top to the bottom." Vs 38
1) Not a single thread remained unbroken to bar man's approach to God.
2) Notice the hour when this took place?
(a) "And Jesus cried with a loud voice."
(b) What did He cry? - One word " Finished"
3) Work of man's redemption was complete
4) The work of Christ is a finished work. "When He from His lofty throne, Stooped to do and die. All the work was fully done, Listen to His cry, It is finished, yes indeed, finished every jot, Sinner this is all you need, tell me is it not?
C) THE VEIL WAS PUBLICLY RENT:
1) "And the sun was darkened, and veil of the temple was rent in the midst,"
2) His death not a private execution. - It was in the midst before many witnesses.
3) Paul told Agrippa that the death of Christ did not take place in a corner.
D) THE VEIL WAS CENTRALLY RENT:
1) Word "twain," means "in the midst."
2) Effect was to divide Veil into 2 equal parts.
3) The Cross of Christ is the Great Divide.
(a) History divided by it - Times past looked forward, these last days we look back.
(b) Humanity divided by it 2 others crucified with Christ and these 2 are represent all. " Which one Are You?”
4) The way into the presence of God was now wide open. But what is:
III) WHAT IS THE DEMAND OF THE VEIL Heb 10:19 "Having therefore, brethren boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, His flesh …. let us draw near."
A) WE COME TO GOD THROUGH CHRIST:
1) Christ said, "Him that cometh unto me I will in no wise cast out." Jn 6:37
2) Unsaved-you’re assured a royal welcome
3) Christ is the High Priest who enters within the Veil:
4) He is all that God demands - And He is all that man requires.
B) WE COMMUNE WITH GOD THOUGH CHRIST
1) Consider what Christ blood has done For us let us approach the presence of God.
2) It was the sin of a man that drove him out from that presence.
3) The death of Christ that brings him back.
IV) CONCLUSION:
A) That is what we are saved FOR:
1) The Cross is to bring us Back: - to bring us In: - and to bring us Home.
2) WHY DID CHRIST DIE ? What is the meaning of the Cross ?
B) So you and I might find our way in!