Significant Events of The Crucifixion That Shaped Our Access to God
During the crucifixion of Christ, several profound events unfolded — moments that not only shaped the immediate atmosphere of that day but continue to echo throughout history and in the hearts of believers today. These events were not random occurrences; they were divine signs, full of meaning, pointing to the magnitude of what was taking place. The crucifixion was not merely an execution — it was the turning point of redemption for mankind, and the events surrounding it still testify to that truth.
The Two Criminals: A Portrait of Rejection and Redemption
As Jesus hung on the cross, He was crucified between two criminals — a scene that revealed two very different responses to Christ. One criminal, hardened in his heart, mocked Jesus, saying, "If you are the Messiah, save yourself and us!" His words echoed the scorn of the crowds, demanding proof through self-preservation rather than recognizing the deeper salvation Jesus was securing.
In contrast, the other criminal showed remarkable humility and insight. He rebuked the mocker, acknowledging that he and the other thief were being justly punished for their crimes, while declaring that Jesus had done nothing wrong. In a moment of pure faith, he turned to Jesus and said, "Remember me when You come into Your kingdom." Jesus’ response was immediate and full of grace: "Truly I tell you, today you will be with Me in paradise." This exchange offers a powerful picture of repentance and the mercy of Christ — showing that salvation is not earned by works, but received through faith, even in one’s final moments.
The story of the repentant criminal profoundly illustrates the heart of the Gospel: salvation is a gift of grace received through faith, not something earned by works or religious rituals. The criminal had no opportunity to reform his life, perform good deeds, or make restitution for his wrongs.
Yet, in a simple act of faith — acknowledging his own guilt and recognizing Jesus as King — he was granted the promise of eternal life. Jesus' assurance, "Today you will be with Me in paradise," stands as a timeless reminder that it is not our efforts that save us, but our trust in who Jesus is and what He has done. This truth continues to bring hope to countless believers, emphasizing that God's mercy reaches even the most broken and undeserving when they turn to Him in faith.
When Jesus declared, "Today you will be with Me in paradise," He powerfully demonstrated His divine authority to forgive sins and grant salvation. Even as He was enduring unimaginable suffering, Jesus remained fully sovereign, exercising His role as Savior and King. This moment affirms that His power was not diminished by the cross; rather, it was magnified. He alone could promise eternal life with absolute certainty because He is the one who holds the keys to life and death. In forgiving the repentant criminal, Jesus showcased that salvation flows directly from His grace and authority, not from any human merit, and that His kingdom was not of this world but an eternal paradise for those who believe in Him.
The scene of the repentant criminal offers immense hope to all who fear that it might be "too late" for them. In his final moments, with a lifetime of wrongdoing behind him and death imminent, he turned to Jesus — and was met with mercy, not condemnation. This moment powerfully reinforces the Christian belief that as long as there is breath in a person’s lungs, it is never too late to repent and seek God’s grace.
The criminal’s story assures us that God’s love is not bound by time or human standards. His willingness to forgive reaches beyond a lifetime of sin to anyone who humbly calls upon Him, even in their last hours. It is a testimony to the boundless mercy and patience of God, who desires that none should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
The account of the repentant thief reveals a deep and beautiful truth: a non-believer can be saved if, with a sincere heart, they cry out to Jesus in faith — even in their final moments. That is how abundant God's grace is toward mankind. As Romans 10:13 declares, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." God’s mercy is not reserved only for those who have lived righteously; it is available to anyone, at any time, who turns to Him in true repentance.
2 Peter 3:9 further reminds us of the heart of God: "The Lord is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." These Scriptures reveal the deep yearning of God — He is not distant or reluctant to save; He is actively longing and waiting for each soul to turn to Him. However, this offer of mercy is bound to the span of a person’s life. Once the final breath is taken, the opportunity for salvation closes. Therefore, the urgency of responding to God’s call today cannot be overstated. His patience is great, but our time is not infinite.
The Tearing of The Veil Symbolizing Access to God
Another powerful and symbolically rich moment during the death of Jesus was the tearing of the veil in the temple. After Jesus took His final breath, an earthquake occurred, shaking the earth and splitting the rocks, but the most profound event was the tearing of the temple veil from top to bottom. This veil, which separated the Holy of Holies from the rest of the temple, symbolized the separation between God and man due to sin.
In Matthew 27:51, it says, “At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split and the tombs broke open.” The tearing of the veil was not just a physical event; it was a divine act of opening the way for all people to approach God. No longer would there be a barrier between God and man — Jesus' sacrificial death had paid the price for sin, and through Him, all could have direct access to the Father. This moment signified the end of the old covenant and the establishment of the new, where salvation and communion with God were made available to everyone, not just the high priest once a year.
In the Jewish temple, the veil (or curtain) held significant meaning, serving as a barrier that separated the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place (or Holy of Holies), which was considered the dwelling place of God’s presence. Only the high priest was permitted to enter this inner sanctum, and even then, only once a year on the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur). On this sacred occasion, the high priest would enter the Holy of Holies with blood to offer a sacrifice for the atonement of his own sins and those of the people.
Hebrews 9:7 underscores the seriousness of this: “But only the high priest entered the inner room, and that only once a year and never without blood, which he offered for himself and for the sins the people had committed in ignorance.” This ritual was a powerful reminder of the separation between a holy God and sinful humanity. The veil represented the barrier that existed due to sin, and only the high priest’s blood sacrifice could temporarily atone for the people’s sins.
The veil in the temple was a constant and powerful reminder that sin separates humanity from God. It symbolized the distance between a holy God and sinful man, emphasizing the reality that no one could approach God’s presence without the proper sacrifice. The tearing of the veil at Jesus' death, however, signified the end of this separation. It was a profound act that illustrated that through Jesus’ sacrifice, the barrier of sin had been removed.
Jesus’ death on the cross reconciled humanity to God, granting direct access to His presence. No longer would a high priest have to enter the Holy of Holies with blood to atone for sin — Jesus, through His own blood, had secured eternal atonement. This powerful moment emphasizes the importance of seeking forgiveness through Christ, who is the only mediator between God and man. The tearing of the veil is a symbol of the new covenant in Christ, where all can now approach God freely through Him.
The manner in which the veil was torn — from top to bottom, rather than from bottom to top — is deeply significant. It was a clear sign that God Himself, not man, removed the barrier between Himself and humanity. The veil’s tearing from the top down symbolized that this was an act of divine intervention, and it wasn’t something mankind could achieve on their own. Through Jesus’ sacrificial death, the way into God’s presence was opened to all people, not just the high priest or the religious elite. This act marked the end of the old system of sacrifices and rituals and the beginning of a new era, where all believers, regardless of status or position, could approach God directly through Christ.
The veil being torn in this way was God’s declaration that the separation caused by sin was now permanently removed, and the door to His presence was open to all who believe. God’s presence now dwells within every believer through the Holy Spirit and marks the beginning of a more personal and intimate relationship with God. Through the Holy Spirit, believers can experience a deep, personal connection with God every moment of their lives.
With His death, the need for yearly sacrifices and the intermediary role of the high priest was done away with. Jesus became both the High Priest, interceding for humanity, and the Lamb of God, whose sacrifice atoned for all sin. This new covenant, established by His blood, grants believers direct access to God, something that had never been possible before. Jesus' work on the cross not only paid for sin but also ushered in a new way of relating to God, one based on grace and direct access through Christ alone.
The Lamb of God: The Final and Perfect Sacrifice for Humanity’s Redemption
The title "Lamb of God" carries profound significance, rooted in the Old Testament sacrificial system. God commanded His people to offer lambs as sacrifices for the atonement of their sins, as seen in Exodus 12 during the Passover, and throughout the Mosaic Law. The principle that "without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness" (Hebrews 9:22) was central to these rituals. However, these sacrifices were only temporary, needing to be repeated year after year, because they could only cover sin but never fully remove it.
In contrast, Jesus, as the Lamb of God, is the final and perfect sacrifice. His blood doesn’t just cover sin — it completely removes it. Through His death on the cross, Jesus atoned for sin once and for all, offering a permanent solution to humanity’s separation from God. His sacrifice fulfilled the law and brought an end to the need for further offerings. Jesus, the Lamb of God, takes away the sin of the world, providing a complete and eternal means of reconciliation between God and mankind.
In the Passover tradition, God instructed every family to slaughter a spotless lamb and place its blood on the doorposts of their homes. This act was a sign for the angel of death to "pass over" the house, sparing the firstborn from judgment and death. This powerful event, described in Exodus 12, was a precursor to the ultimate sacrifice that would come through Jesus. Jesus' death during the Passover season is no coincidence — He is the true Passover Lamb.
Just as the blood of the lamb in Exodus spared the firstborn from death, so too does the blood of Jesus, shed on the cross, spare us from eternal death and judgment. His sacrifice brings freedom from sin and its consequences, allowing God's judgment to pass over those who are covered by His blood. Jesus, the Lamb of God, fulfills the Passover in the most complete and eternal way, offering salvation to all who trust in Him.
Isaiah 53:7 states, "He was led like a lamb to the slaughter," a prophetic image that pointed to the suffering and sacrifice of the Messiah. Jesus' death on the cross perfectly fulfills this prophecy. As the spotless Lamb of God, He willingly endured the suffering, rejection, and ultimate death that were foretold in Isaiah.
Unlike the sacrificial lambs of the Old Testament, which were offered by human hands, Jesus offered Himself as the perfect and ultimate sacrifice. His willing submission to death, like a lamb led to slaughter, underscores His role as the Savior who came to bear the sins of the world. This prophecy highlights the depth of Jesus' obedience and sacrifice, fulfilling God's redemptive plan for humanity. Jesus, the Lamb of God, bore the weight of sin once and for all, offering eternal salvation to all who believe in Him.
The lamb, in both Jewish tradition and biblical prophecy, represents innocence — a creature without blemish or defect, symbolizing purity. The innocent lamb’s sacrifice served as a substitute for the guilty, bearing the consequences of sin in place of the sinner. This imagery is powerfully fulfilled in Jesus, the Lamb of God. As 2 Corinthians 5:21 states, "God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God."
Jesus, the sinless and innocent One, took upon Himself the guilt and punishment of our sins. In doing so, He served as the ultimate substitute, dying in our place to restore our relationship with God. His sacrifice makes it possible for us to be clothed in His righteousness, not because of anything we have done, but because of what He did on our behalf. Jesus, the innocent Lamb, bore the weight of our guilt, offering us salvation through His death and the opportunity to stand justified before God.
Jesus, as the Lamb of God, represents the perfect, sinless sacrifice for humanity. Unlike the lambs sacrificed in the Old Testament, which were imperfect and had to be offered repeatedly, Jesus' sacrifice was once and for all. His blood, shed on the cross, saves us from judgment, securing eternal redemption for all who believe in Him.
As the sinless Son of God, Jesus was the only one qualified to bear the weight of the world's sin. His death on the cross became the ultimate atonement, fulfilling God's plan for salvation. Jesus' sacrifice is not just a covering for sin, but a complete removal of it, providing full reconciliation with God. Through Him, we receive the forgiveness of sins and the promise of eternal life. Jesus, the Lamb of God, is the once-for-all atonement who makes it possible for us to stand righteous before a holy God.
A New Beginning
The events surrounding the crucifixion of Jesus — from His sacrificial death as the Lamb of God to the tearing of the veil in the temple — mark a profound shift in how humanity relates to God. Jesus, the perfect and sinless sacrifice, offered Himself once and for all to remove the penalty of sin and restore our relationship with God. Through His death, the barriers that once separated us from God were broken, opening the way for direct access to His presence. No longer are animal sacrifices needed, nor is there an exclusive priesthood to mediate for us. Jesus, through His blood, became the ultimate atonement for our sins and the means by which we can experience a personal, intimate relationship with God. The tearing of the veil symbolizes the end of separation, the start of a new covenant, and the assurance that through faith in Christ, we have eternal life and unbroken fellowship with our Creator. Jesus' sacrifice invites all to come to God, not through rituals or works, but through grace, making the way open to all who believe in Him.