Thursday 19 October 2023

Background

The innermost shrine of the Temple was such a holy place that the High Priest was only allowed to enter it once a year – on the Day of Atonement (there is more detail about this in  Monday's notes). This was the place where you were thought to be as close to God as you could possibly get on earth. This Holy of Holies was separated from the rest of the Temple by a curtain (Exodus 26:31-33). When Jesus died “the curtain of the Temple was torn in two from top to bottom” (Matthew 27:51) symbolising that access to God was now being opened up in a new way.

Some churches still have a screen which separates what is seen as the holiest part of the church from the main body of the congregation. The iconostasis (a wall of icons and religious paintings) in Orthodox churches is one example of this and women are not allowed behind it. (I write more about this in my book: Where Two Rivers Meet: Russian Windows on the Gospel).

The crematorium, where many of the funerals I conduct take place, has both a thick curtain and a thin veil which can be closed at the point of committal. Often, the most moving part of the conversation I have with a family on a funeral visit is about which of these options they would prefer. How will it affect them when their loved one disappears from view? Do they feel able to “see in a mirror dimly”? (1 Corinthians 13:12)    

I have never thought about using Hebrews 6:19 during a funeral service or on a funeral visit, but I may well do so in future. The hope of eternal life lies behind the curtain. We may not be able to see it, but our soul is securely tethered to it, like an anchor. Anchors also tend to be hidden from our view.   

To Ponder:

• What barriers between you and God have you encountered?
• How do you feel about the curtains at the crematorium?
• When the curtain rises (as in a theatre) and the kingdom of God is revealed, what do you hope to see?
• Read, sing or listen to the hymn All my hope on God is founded (StF 455)