THE SEND: Luke & ActsSample

Luke 23 tells the story of the crucifixion of Jesus. It walks us through his trial, his walk to the hill, his brutal death on a cross, and his burial.

If you’ve ever heard anything about the story of Jesus, you’ll know that the cross is central to what Christians believe. But how often do we really sit with this story?

In Luke 23:45, Luke includes what might seem like a random detail: “the curtain of the temple was torn in two”. But this isn’t just a bit of color for the story. This curtain separated people from the Holy of Holies—the innermost part of the temple, where the presence of God was known to rest. Only the top priest was allowed to enter the Holy of Holies, and he could only do so once a year (see Leviticus 16).

When Jesus died, the curtain tore from top to bottom. The barrier between God and his people was removed. Jesus’ sacrifice, his death on the cross, means that you and I do not need to be high priests to enter God’s presence. We simply need to accept the sacrifice of Jesus.

And it is this sacrifice of Jesus that is the catalyst for the early Church’s mission. We will read in the book of Acts the stories of people who followed the example of Jesus, laying their lives down so that people could become close to God again.

As we read this often familiar passage today, don’t rush. Pay attention to what God is wants to say to you. Is there anything new about the sacrifice of Jesus that God wants to emphasize to you? And how do you want to respond to this? In thanksgiving? In praise? In fresh surrender?

Ask him to open your eyes to what the cross really means. Take a moment to respond to him.