Surprised by Grace (35): Before God’s Throne of Grace

Some weeks ago there was a once-a-half-century major news.
The entire country was thrown into a frenzy.
All news networks broadcast it live.

No it’s not Trump’s so-called “hush money” trial.
Nor Biden’s “Don’t!” or “Pause”.

The total eclipse of the sun.

Sadly, the next one will escape many of us.

News coverage, reflecting the spirit of the time (Zeitgeist), primarily revolved around these themes: protection of eyes, ancients views and myths, rave parties, and personal impressions.

The hollowness of humanity’s collective soul was plainly in view.

Just imagine missing such a rare opportunity to ask the question, “why do I get to meet this rare event, and what’s its significance for me?”

Imagine the chairman of your Fortune 500 company only shows up in your office once in 50 years, and you end up in the same elevator with him for 70 floor travel.
And you didn’t ask him for a favor or even talk to him?
What a colossal miss!

To witness a total eclipse and not ponder one’s life?
Just remember rave party!?

Years ago a trained physician well known for his preference for historical accounting recorded the total eclipse of his generation:
“By this time it was about noon, and darkness fell across the whole land until three o’clock. The light from the sun was gone. And suddenly, the curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn down the middle. Then Jesus shouted, ‘Father, I entrust my spirit into your hands!’ And with those words he breathed his last.” (Luke 23:44-46, NLT)

Note that Luke employed the split screen technique to bridge the eclipse to the Cross at Golgotha, and to the Holy of Holies in the Jerusalem Temple.
That’s his reflection on the significance.

A basic knowledge of Jewish history and the Temple should help to appreciate the significance of that curtain being rended open.

In a nutshell, the curtain was designed to partition off the Holy of Holies from the rest of the Temple, for one very important reason: the Holy of Holies was where the Ark of Covenant, also known as Mercy Seat, was placed. It signified the throne of Yahweh and hence His presence.

But of course Yahweh took no bodily form and legend has it that when the Roman general Pompey entered there he sarcastically commented that he saw no God.
He was put in history as having committed sacrilege by just entering there.

The Old Testament clearly forbade human entrance behind the curtain with one single exception.
Only once a year the High Priest could do that.
And to inform servers outside if he has suddenly been struck dead, the attire of the High Priest was sewn with bells designed to sound “proof of life” while he was ministering inside.

No one could go inside beyond the curtain.
The High Priest, just once a year.

That’s how significant that event during the eclipse recorded by Luke.
Remember the eclipse.
Remember the Cross.
Remember the rending of the curtain.

The access to the Mercy Seat, unhindered on that Eclipse.

The job of drawing the significance of all these was left for another writer:
“So then, since we have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe. This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.”(Heb 4:14-16, NLT)

How could one not appreciate the rarity of eclipse?
How could one not appreciate the access to God’s presence created by the rending of the curtain?
How could one not appreciate the universal access to mercy for whatever inequities in one’s life, Jews or not?

The total eclipse of the sun.

Could be just a rare event, that’s made interesting by myths, rave parties, and breaking news.

But could be an awakening to the immediate and unconditional access to the Mercy Seat of the forgiving God.

Forgiveness made possible.
Available too.

To anyone willing to enter behind the rended curtain.
Rended from top to bottom.
Initiated from the top.

Savor the surprise!