Free

From noon until three in the afternoon darkness came over the whole land. About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out with a loud voice, "Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?" that is "My God, My God, why have you forsaken Me?"...... Jesus shouted again with a loud voice and gave up His spirit.

Matthew 27:45-50

Jesus' death conincided with the afternoon sacrifice. Those who had cried out for his blood were in the temple when the curtain was rent. He was the perfect sacrifice.

The darkness was interpreted as God's judgement. Some would have thought it was against Jesus but in the light of His subsequent resurrection they would come to see that it was judgement against sin that Jesus became for us.

He was sin for us, He was separated from the Father for us, we don't have to go there. Repentance sets us free, the price has been paid. Jesus was cast out for us, His Father rejected Him for us, we are not rejected but welcomed back, just like the father of the prodigal son our father comes running to us.

All sin, all sin, all sin, was placed on Him, none escaped so that His blood covered it all. We are free!

The tearing of the curtain in the sanctuary represents the destruction of the barrier between us and God. All we have to say is "Lord forgive me, I want You in my heart." He is willing and able to forgive us of all unrighteousness. Amen!