Suggested Date: December 16th
At Jesus’ death, a series of miraculous events occurred, including the tearing of the veil in the temple. Matthew 27:51 says that it was torn from top to bottom. The darkness that fell would have been from about noon to 3:00 in the afternoon.
Scripture: Luke 23:44-49
44 It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon, 45 for the
sun stopped shining. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. 46 Jesus called out with a loud voice,
“Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” When he had said this, he breathed his last.
47 The centurion, seeing what had happened, praised God and said, “Surely this was a righteous man.” 48 When all the people who had gathered to witness this sight saw what took place, they beat their breasts and went away. 49 But all those who knew him, including the women who had followed him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things.
digging deeper
1. Why did Jesus come to die?
2. List all the characters in this scene. Who do you relate with? why?
3. How did the witnesses respond when Jesus died?
4. What did the centurion say? Why was it significant?
5. Why do you think both Luke and Mathew mention the torn veil?
wrap-up
At Jesus’ death, the temple veil was torn in two showing that His once-for-all sacrifice was effective! No longer would priests have to offer “time after time the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins” (Hebrews 10:11). No longer would people have to remain separated from God by their sin! Jesus, the sinless Lamb of God, had made the way to the Father!
respond in worship
“Down in a lowly manger
Our humble Christ was born
And brought us all salvation
That blessed Christmas morn...”
respond in prayer
Pray for your relationship with God to grow stronger and stronger as you get to know Him better. Pray
that God will continue to reveal Himself to you in ways you can understand and receive. Pray that God’s love for you will overflow to everyone around you.