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Words of Hope Daily Devotional

The Words of Hope Devotional is a non-profit, donor-supported publication whose goal is to encourage readers to grow in faith through the practice of daily Bible reading and prayer. The devotional is available in your email and in print.

Curtain Torn in Two

Read: Mark 15:33-39

The curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. (v. 38)

During the Covid-19 pandemic, as an American living in Canada, I could not go home. The border was closed. After several years of being unable to travel, I was finally able to visit my family in the United States. Emotions flooded me as I went through customs. The barrier was gone and I could finally go home.

Jesus made a way where there was no way. The temple curtain was a barrier between God and his people. When God gave directions to build the tabernacle (and later the temple), he commanded there be a curtain separating the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place. Only once a year could one person, the high priest, enter the Most Holy Place where the Lord dwelled. Even then, the high priest had to be purified by sacrifices. Ritually and spiritually impure, the people could not come into the presence of a holy God.

At the death of Jesus Christ, that curtain was torn in two. Through his crucifixion, as the perfect sacrifice once for all, Jesus opened “a new and living way” for us into the presence of God (Heb. 10:19-20). God’s holiness does not change, but we’re now enabled, by the saving blood of Christ, to enter into God’s presence. He has broken down the barrier by his shed blood. Significantly, the curtain was torn “from top to bottom” (Mark 15:38). God has torn the curtain. He has made the way. Jesus has God making a way for us into the Father’s presence.

As you pray, thank Jesus for making a way for us into God’s presence.

About the Author

Stephen Shaffer is the pastor at Bethel Reformed Church in Brantford, Ontario.

Crucifixion

Read: John 19:16-25 . . . The Place of the Skull, which in Aramaic is called Golgotha. (v. 17) Sometimes, where something takes places matters. Sand from the beaches of Normandy means something different than sand from Holland, Michigan. Saying “I do” at

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Simon the Cyrene

Read: Matthew 27:32-37 They compelled this man to carry [Jesus’s] cross. (v. 32) I don’t think this was how Simon thought his day would go. Since Simon was from the distant region of Cyrene, he was likely a faithful Jew who

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Trial before Pilate

Read: John 18:28-40 Are you the King of the Jews? (v. 33) What kind of king do we actually want? Do we want a ruler like Pilate, or are we willing to follow a king like Jesus? Jesus, the King of

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Peter’s Denial

Read: Luke 22:54-62 Woman, I do not know him. (v. 57) Jesus stood before the high priest and religious leaders. They questioned him about his identity and brought false witnesses (Matt. 26:59-60). Jesus knew where this would lead, and he calmly

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Betrayal

Read: Mark 14:43-52 The one I will kiss is the man. (v. 44) Those you love the most can also hurt you the most. When a friend decides not to spend time with you anymore, it hurts more than when you

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Gethsemane

Read: Matthew 26:36-56 Remain here, and stay awake with me. (v. 38 NRSV) A lot of time as a parent involves being with your kids—making lunches, cleaning clothes, stopping fights, helping with homework. All of that is good and even a

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