TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
With a loud cry, Jesus breathed his last. The curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. Mark 15:37-38
Read: Mark 15:33-39
Listen: Mark 15
TODAY’S MESSAGE
Jesus is on the cross, and death is not far off. At noon, it suddenly becomes as dark as night. The weight of the world’s sin is on Jesus, and God’s judgment nears completion. As it does, Jesus cries out, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” With one final cry, Jesus dies. At the same time, something incredible happens. The curtain in the temple is torn from top to bottom.
The temple curtain is not an ordinary curtain filtering out light. Historians explain it was 60-feet high, 30-feet wide and one-inch thick and required 300 priests to put it in place. It separated the temple’s Holy Place from the Most Holy Place, the place the high priest went just once a year to offer atonement for the people’s sins. The template curtain represented the separation of a holy God from sinful humans. But with Jesus’s death, the sin barrier between us and God is gone. We now have full access to God—no temple, priest or specific location required.
The cross is a direct invitation to place your faith and trust in Jesus. Maybe you’ve been exploring Jesus for some time, or perhaps you’re still trying to decide if the Jesus of your parents will be your Jesus. If so, it’s time to believe that Jesus paid the penalty for your sin and receive the forgiveness he offers.
IN YOUR CHAIR TIME TODAY
Hear the invitation to come to Jesus as you watch Ada Bible Church’s Worship Team as they sing, “God So Loved.” Respond in gratefulness as you hear, “Bring all your failures, bring your addictions, come lay them down at the foot of the cross. Jesus is waiting there with open arms, see his open arms.”
2022 BIBLE MEMORY PRACTICE
Develop spiritual roots and tap in the power of God’s word by memorizing monthly a Bible verse! View previous verses at beyondtheweekend.org/biblememorypractice.
ROMANS 8:28
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
Download a printable PDF of the BTW week here.
