Jesus’ Death: The Beginning of a New Covenant

Only the High Priest was permitted to pass beyond the Holy of Holies veil once each year and enter into God’s presence for all of Israel and make atonement for their sins. Exodus 30:10 (KJV) says, “And Aaron shall make an atonement upon the horns of it once in a year with the blood of the sin offering of atonements: once in the year shall he make atonement upon it throughout your generations: it is most holy unto the Lord”.

From some accounts the veil was somewhere near 60 feet high. It was four inches thick and fashioned from blue, purple and scarlet material and fine twisted linen. The tearing of the veil at the moment of Jesus’ death dramatically symbolized that His sacrifice, the shedding of His own blood, was a sufficient atonement for sins forever. It now signified that the way into the Holy of Holies was open for all time for both the Jew and Gentile. When Jesus died, the veil was torn, and God moved out of that place never again to dwell in a Temple made by hands. Acts 17:24 (KJV) says “God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands.”

In a sense, the veil was symbolic of Christ, Himself. Christ is the only way to the Father. John 14:6 (KJV) states, “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” The High Priest had to enter the Holy of Holies through the veil. Now Christ is our superior High Priest. We can now enter the Holy of Holies by Jesus. Hebrews 10:19-20 (KJV) says, “Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and live way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say his flesh.” Jesus’ death has removed the barriers between God and man and now we may approach Him with confidence and boldness.The faithful can enter into the sanctuary by the “blood of Jesus”, by the new and living way that Christ opened for us through the veil, that is, through his flesh.