Luke 23:45
And the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was rent in the midst.
Luke 23:45
As Jesus breathes his last, “the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was rent in the midst.” The tearing of the temple veil is a powerful symbol: access to God is now granted through Jesus’ sacrifice, no longer mediated by a temple ritual. The sun’s darkness adds to the sense of cosmic upheaval, signaling that Jesus’ death has cosmic significance.
The veil tearing communicates the removal of separation between God and humanity. Through Jesus’ death, believers gain direct access to the Father by the Spirit, not through ceremonial systems. The darkness reinforces the depth of Jesus’ suffering and the reconciliation that his death accomplishes.
This verse invites believers to approach God with confidence, not fear, through Jesus’ atonement. In personal practice, this could translate into regular time with God in prayer, reading Scripture, and cultivating an intimate conversation with God. It also challenges religious routines that miss the heart of relationship—Jesus invites a personal, ongoing relationship with the Father.
Cross-References: Hebrews 4:16; Hebrews 10:19-22; Matthew 27:51