Summary

The Torn Curtain Word on the Week 4th April 2026.
Of all the events that occurred in Jerusalem during Holy Week the tearing of the Temple curtain is perhaps the most intriguing and probably the most overlooked!
It came at the end of three hours of darkness and was one of many supernatural occurrences (Matthew 27 verses 50 to 54). It caused the Centurion, who was on duty at the cross, to exclaim, “surely this man was the Son of God”.
The curtain’s destruction occurred simultaneously with Jesus surrendering his life on the cross (Mark 15 verses 37/8). At no time did Jesus lose control of his situation. He died when He had finished the work he had come to do (John 10 verse 18). What was the work He came to do? He bore our sin in his body. He was our sin bearer (1 Peter 2 verse 24).
We know the tearing of the curtain was miraculous. It could not have been otherwise. Its size was approximately 60 feet in high, 30 feet wide, and about 4 inches thick. It was famously described as being thick as a hand breadth. The curtain was torn from top to bottom, not bottom to top as it would have been if it had been torn by human effort.
The curtain functioned as a wall. It protected the Most Holy Place where the ark of the covenant containing the ten commandments and above it the Mercy Seat – the place of sacrifice. It was where the High Priest entered, once a year, bringing the blood of a young bull (for his own sins) and the Lord's goat, for the sins of the people, on the Day of Atonement.
Jesus was crucified at the Passover. He was the lamb of God who was taking away the sins of the world (John 1 verse 29). His role in Salvation was prophesied by Isaiah in Chapter 53 verse 7. His substitutionary death for sin opens up access to God (Hebrews 10 verses 19 to 25).
He is the new and living way as the above passage testifies. In my place condemned he died. Trust in His redeeming work. “It is finished” (John 19 verse 20). Put your trust in Jesus. He loves you enough to die for you.
Have a Blessed Easter.