The meaning of this event and its symbolism are powerful. The curtain in today's scripture was the one between the Holy Place and the Most Holy Place in the Jewish temple. For the Jews, the Mercy Seat of God was in the Most Holy Place and only the High Priest could go before the Mery Seat on behalf of the people. The tearing of the curtain from top to bottom symbolized that the Cross of Christ opens up the way for us to go straight to the Mercy Seat of God—the place of ultimate forgiveness in the very presence of God. Jesus is the sacrifice for our sins that completely cleanses us and makes us right with God. Barriers no longer stand between us and God's grace and mercy. Jesus opened up for us the way to the very heart of God. As horrible as the humiliation of the Cross was for Jesus, it was even more glorious for us because it ushered in a new way (called the New Covenant) for God to deal with his people. (Please read today's associated Scriptures for more information.) What Satan, through evil men, had intended for harm, God used to bring great good. Jesus becomes our Savior and his sacrifice becomes the basis of our salvation.