The Mercy And Grace Of Easter

“After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men. The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.” So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”
Matthew 28:1-10 NIV

Connecting the mercy of Friday with the grace of Sunday

“For he has made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him”
2 Corinthians 5:21 NIV

MERCY. Jesus suffered and died on the cross for our sin.
GRACE. We were made righteous in Him when he resurrected from the dead.

The torn veil ties the two intricately together

“And behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.”
Matthew 27:51 NIV

What is the veil?

It may seem strange to readers that Matthew refers simply to “the” veil of the temple, without any explanation as to which of the many hangings, curtains, and veils in the Old Testament tabernacle and subsequent temple he had in mind. Since Matthew makes such frequent appeals to the Old Testament, presuming it to be an important authority for his readers.

Matthew’s writings about the veil

Matthew’s use of the phrase “veil of the temple” (Mathew 27:51 NASB) suggests there was an enormous inner veil (curtain) separating people from the innermost, sacred part of the tabernacle (temple) — the holy of holies. This veil, described first and most fully with these details in Exodus 26:31-35.

Verse 31: “Make a curtain of blue, purple and scarlet yarn and finely twisted linen, with cherubim woven into it by a skilled worker.
Verse 32: “Hang it with gold hooks on four posts of acacia wood overlaid with gold and standing on four silver bases.”
Verse 33: “Hang the curtain from the clasps and place the ark of the covenant law behind the curtain. The curtain will separate the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place.”
Verse 34: “Put the atonement cover on the ark of the covenant law in the Most Holy Place.”
Verse 35: Place the table outside the curtain on the north side of the tabernacle and put the lampstand opposite it on the south side.”

Relevance for a 21st century Christian

SON OF GOD. Proved that Jesus truly was the son of God and giver of all life.
PAYMENT FOR SIN. His resurrection provides complete payment for sins.
SALVATION. Salvation was made possible by Him overcoming death.
RIGHTESOUSNESS. Righteousness was imputed (attributed) to man.
ETERNAL LIFE. Gives the power of eternal life to all who believe.

”Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
John 14:6 NIV

THE WAY. The only way to the Father is through the criss.
THE TRUTH. The only Truth is found as you move through the torn veil.
THE LIFE. The only life can be found through Jesus’ resurrected life.

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