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A New and Living Way for All, January 30
When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he
bowed his head and gave up his spirit.
John 19:30
, NIV.
Never before had the earth witnessed such a scene. The multitude stood para-
lyzed, and with bated breath gazed upon the Saviour. Again darkness settled upon
the earth, and a hoarse rumbling, like heavy thunder, was heard. There was a violent
earthquake. The people were shaken together in heaps. The wildest confusion and
consternation ensued. In the surrounding mountains, rocks were rent asunder, and
went crashing down into the plains. Sepulchers were broken open, and the dead
were cast out of their tombs. Creation seemed to be shivering to atoms. Priests,
rulers, soldiers, executioners and people, mute with terror, lay prostrate upon the
ground.
When the loud cry, “It is finished,” came from the lips of Christ the priests
were officiating in the Temple. It was the hour of the evening sacrifice. The lamb
representing Christ had been brought to be slain. Clothed in his significant and
beautiful dress, the priest stood with lifted knife, as did Abraham when he was about
to slay his son. With intense interest the people were looking on. But the earth
trembles and quakes; for the Lord Himself draws near. With a rending noise the
inner veil of the Temple is torn from top to bottom by an unseen hand, throwing
open to the gaze of the multitude a place once filled with the presence of God. In
this place the Shekinah had dwelt. Here God had manifested His glory above the
mercy seat. No one but the high priest ever lifted the veil separating this apartment
from the rest of the Temple. He entered in once a year to make an atonement for
the sins of the people. But lo, this veil is rent in twain. The Most Holy Place of the
earthly sanctuary is no longer sacred.
All is terror and confusion. The priest is about to slay the victim, but the knife
drops from his nerveless hand and the lamb escapes. Type has met antitype in the
death of God’s Son. The great sacrifice has been made. The way into the holiest
is laid open. A new and living way is prepared for all. No longer need sinful,
sorrowing humanity await the coming of the high priest. Henceforth the Saviour was
to officiate as priest and advocate in the heaven of heavens. It was as if a living voice
had spoken to the worshipers: There is now an end to all sacrifices and offerings for
sin. The Son of God is come according to His word, “Lo, I come (in the volume
of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God.” “By his own blood” He
entereth “in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us”
(
Hebrews 10:7
;
9:12
) (
The Desire of Ages, 756, 757
).
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