When God Tore Down the Barrier: The Significance of the Torn Curtain
At the moment of Jesus’ death, something magnificent happened that forever changed humanity’s access to God. At Lakeview Christian Church of Portage Lakes, we celebrate this truth as central to our mission of being the change as Jesus has changed us.
Perfect Timing in Every Detail
God’s timing is always perfect. When Roman soldiers came to break Jesus’ legs to hasten His death before Passover began, they discovered He was already dead. This fulfilled Psalm 34:20: “He keeps all his bones; not one of them is broken.”
Even in death, Jesus fulfilled prophecy with perfect precision. Nothing about the crucifixion was random or accidental—every detail had been planned from the foundation of the world.
The Curtain That Changed Everything
Luke 23:45 records a moment that’s easy to overlook but impossible to overstate: “And the curtain of the temple was torn in two.”
This wasn’t just any curtain. This wasn’t decorative fabric like we hang in our homes. This wasn’t even a simple room divider.
This curtain was 60 feet high, 30 feet wide, and several inches thick. You couldn’t cut it with scissors. You couldn’t tear it by hand. It was a massive, impenetrable barrier that separated the Holy of Holies—where God’s presence dwelt—from the rest of the temple.
For over a thousand years, this curtain represented separation. Only one man, the high priest, could pass through it, and only once a year on the Day of Atonement, carrying the blood of sacrifice.
From Top to Bottom
Matthew 27:51 adds a crucial detail: the curtain was torn “from top to bottom.” This wasn’t a human act—it was divine intervention. God Himself ripped open the barrier from heaven to earth, declaring that access to His presence was now available to everyone.
Hebrews 10:19-20 explains the significance: “Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh.”
What This Means for You Today
The torn curtain means you don’t need a priest to approach God. You don’t need to be perfect. You don’t need special credentials or religious pedigree.
You have direct access to God through Jesus Christ.
This is the foundation of our “Just 3” mission at Lakeview Christian Church:
Study – We can now study God’s Word and know Him personally, not through intermediaries Share – We share this incredible news that everyone can have a relationship with God Serve – We serve others because we’ve experienced God’s accessible love firsthand
Stop Living Like the Curtain Still Exists
Many Christians still live as though the curtain is up. They keep God at a distance, thinking they need to earn the right to approach Him. They believe they must clean up their lives before praying, or that God is too busy or too holy to care about their daily struggles.
But that’s not what the torn curtain declares. When Jesus died, the barrier was destroyed forever. You don’t have to knock—the door is wide open. You don’t have to wait—God is available right now. You don’t have to be perfect—Jesus already was perfect for you.
The Invitation to Come Near
James 4:8 says, “Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.” This invitation is possible only because of the torn curtain. God isn’t distant or unapproachable. He’s near, accessible, and waiting for you to come to Him.
At Lakeview Christian Church of Portage Lakes, we’re a community that lives in the reality of the torn curtain. We approach God with confidence, not because of who we are, but because of what Jesus has done.
Living in Freedom
The torn curtain represents freedom—freedom from religious performance, freedom from the burden of earning God’s favor, freedom to approach the throne of grace with confidence.
Hebrews 4:16 encourages us: “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”
Whatever you’re facing today—doubt, fear, guilt, shame, confusion—you can bring it directly to God. The curtain is torn. The access is open. The invitation stands.
Come as you are. God is waiting.
Join us at Lakeview Christian Church of Portage Lakes as we live out the reality of the torn curtain—studying God’s Word to know Him better, sharing His love with our community, and serving others as an expression of the grace we’ve received.
The barrier is gone. The way is open. Will you come near?
