"The Day In Between"
- Rita Larson
- Apr 8, 2023
- 4 min read
On Good Friday, Jesus Christ after being severely punished and undergoing agonizing torment and abuse, He then suffered the excruciating pain of crucifixion, nailed to a cross. In Mark 15:34 Jesus cried out, “My God, My God, why hast thou forsaken me?” Oh, the significance behind this cry! This was the very instance that Jesus took upon the nature of all sin and in turn suffered its extreme penalty. For the first and only time, God had turned away from Him. II Conrinthians 5:21, “For He hath made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him.” Then, with final moment at hand, our Lord and Savior cried out, “IT IS FINISHED and He bowed his head and gave up the Ghost” (John 19:30).
But then what? We hear about Good Friday, and we know that is the day we recognize as the Crucifixion of Christ. We celebrate Easter, Resurrection Day, as the Day He rose from the grave. But what happened the day in between? Not always do we hear about the significance of the events that happened between His death and His resurrection.
Understanding the significance of the splitting of the veil is crucial. The veil was a heavy curtain found in the Temple in Jerusalem that separated the the Holy of Holies from the Holy Place. Matthew 27:50-53 tells us the veil was torn the moment that Christ died and the barrier between us and God was removed, allowing us to enter into His presence. Matthew 27:51 says, "Behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent." When Jesus died, the veil was torn from top to bottom. We know the invisible hands of God reached down and removed this barrier Himself, because the veil was torn from top to bottom. Now, we no longer must beg for forgiveness or offer sacrifices to remove the barrier between God and mankind. Anyone has the right and can enter God's presence by way of the Blood that Jesus shed to pay the wages of our sins. Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin Is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord”.
Next we also know that Jesus descended into hades. Using His authority, the
Great Author and Finisher of our Faith, seized the keys to death and hell. Revelation 1:17-18, “And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last: I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.” We also see in 1 Peter 3:18-20, “For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit: By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison; Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water.” Jesus preached to the captives that had died and were held prisoners. Jesus took the righteous captives and ascended with them to heaven, immediately in the presence of God. Hallelujah! The captives were set free then, just as those held captive by sin today can be set free by accepting Jesus Christ as their Personal Savior.
The holder of a key has power and authority to open a door and gain access to what is behind that door. The owner of a key can also close that door, shutting and locking it to keep what is behind the door inside. Jesus' key ownership fulfilled the Davidic Covenant, which God made with King David. This covenant is still in effect today. Revelation 3:7, “And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith He that is Holy, He that is True, He that hath the key of David, He that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth.”
As we approach Resurrection Day, let us take a moment to reflect on the power and majesty of our God. Remember the sacrifice that He made for us and the hope that He brings us. Let us be filled with excitement and anticipation for what is to come, as we look forward to spending eternity in the presence of our Lord and Savior. We serve an amazing and majestic God, who has the power to bring us out of the darkness of death and into the light of eternal righteousness with Him. He has freed us from the sting of death and damnation. As we celebrate His resurrection, be reminded of the power of our God and the ultimate victory we can have through Jesus Christ. He has conquered death and opened the door of salvation to us. Because of this, we will celebrate His resurrection with joy and thanksgiving! Hallelujah! © Rita Larson 4/8/2023
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