Ember
Days
The
Collect.
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O
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ALMIGHTY God, who hast
committed to the hands of men the ministry of reconciliation; We humbly beseech
thee, by the inspiration of thy Holy Spirit, to put it into the hearts of many
to offer themselves for this ministry; that thereby mankind may be drawn to thy
blessed kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The
Fifteenth Sunday after Trinity.
The
Collect.
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K
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EEP, we beseech thee, O Lord, thy
Church with thy perpetual mercy; and, because the frailty of man without thee
cannot but fall, keep us ever by thy help from all things hurtful, and lead us
to all things profitable to our salvation; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
31 And thou shalt make a veil of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and
fine twined linen of cunning work: with cherubims shall it be made (Ex 26:31)
And thou shalt hang up the veil under the taches, that thou mayest bring in thither
within the veil the ark of the testimony: and the veil shall divide unto you
between the holy place and the most holy. (Ex 26:33) 34 And
thou shalt put the mercy seat upon the ark of the testimony in the most holy
place. (Ex 26:34)
8 The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of
all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing: 9 Which
was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and
sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining
to the conscience (Hebrews
9:8-9)
19 Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by
the blood of Jesus, 20 By a new and living way, which he hath
consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; 21 And
having an high priest over the house of God; 22 Let us draw near
with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from
an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. (Hebrews 10:19-22)
50 Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the
ghost. 51 And, 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 (Matthew 27:50-51)
The Veil
of the Temple separated the Holy Place from the Holiest of Holies. It separated
in its nature the people from direct access to God. Jesus Christ is the Open
Door that stands between God the Father and those who are called and chosen in
Christ. He is the partition through which we must pass if we are to come to
God. There is no other way. He is the "Way,
the Truth, and the Life. No man cometh unto the Father but by…"
Him.
The Veil
was made of vibrant colors of colors of blue (faithfulness), purple (royalty),
scarlet (sacrifice), and white (sinlessness). These same apply to our Lord
Jesus Christ.
The Veil
in the Temple was lifted up on costly and elaborate pillars; however, Christ
was lifted up on a crude cross of torture.
The Veil
was rent from top to bottom at the moment of Christ's death on the cross (3
PM). And, 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 (see
also Mark 15:38). Christ was our Veil of flesh that separates us from God the
Father. His flesh was torn and gashed just as was the Temple Veil. The Veil in
the Temple was torn from "top to bottom" signifying that the only
grace and forgiveness made aveilable to man must come from on high. Christ,
being the center Person of the Triune God, was also God. His death removed the
Veil of separation between God and man.
Today, instead of a ritual approach to God through intermediary priests, we
enjoy a direct access through Christ our Lord. He is the torn Veil for us.
If
we are drawn near by faith, we may come face to face with our Maker through
that Veil of Christ, for He, too, is our Maker.
Have
you approached the Veil?
