The Curtain

 

Therefore, my brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the sanctuary by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain (that is, through his flesh) – Hebrews 10:19-20 (NRSVUE)

The writer of Hebrews tells us clearly that “the curtain” represents Jesus’ flesh. Also, other translations instead of “the sanctuary”, have used “the Holy Place”, “the Holy of Holies” or “Most Holy Place”, that is the third and innermost room of the Tabernacle where God Himself is present and is accessible only to the High Priest.

The passage above shows us that Jesus isn’t only the curtain but is also the one who opens the curtain; the only one who had access into the innermost room of the Tabernacle was the High Priest, therefore Jesus is also the High Priest. He opens the curtain into the Most Holy Place.

Through Jesus’ atoning death we now have boldness and confident access to the Most Holy Place, (Ephesians 3:12), an unreserved approach to God with freedom and without fear according to the Amplified Classic Edition translation.

The curtain also represents any fleshly barrier between God and man. In the Tabernacle, the curtain was made of linen (Exodus 26:31), which is symbolic of righteousness but righteousness in the flesh, as in those days, the curtain also represented the Law of Moses which pertained to the flesh.

Now the Law could make no one righteous.

For no person will be justified [freed of guilt and declared righteous] in His sight by [trying to do] the works of the Law. For through the Law we become conscious of sin [and the recognition of sin directs us toward repentance, but provides no remedy for sin].  – Romans 3:20 (AMP)

So, something had to be done because only the righteous – those made right with God – could pass beyond the curtain.

This righteousness of God comes through faith in Jesus Christ for all those [Jew or Gentile] who believe [and trust in Him and acknowledge Him as God’s Son]. There is no distinction, since all have sinned and continually fall short of the glory of God – Romans 3:22-23 (AMP)

Since the curtain was the only way to enter, something had to happen to the curtain itself. The curtain had to be removed.

Keeping in mind that the curtain also represents Jesus, let’s read Matthew 27:50-51 (ESV),

And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and yielded up his spirit. And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. 

The curtain was torn from top to bottom. The curtain, our Lord Jesus, was the only one qualified to accomplish God’s plan of redemption. He had to be torn apart, for He was the only person on earth who was righteous in the flesh.

Hanging on the cross, He took all the sin of the world and suffered the agonizing tearing so that we could enter the presence of God as a gift of His grace.

being justified [declared free of the guilt of sin, made acceptable to God, and granted eternal life] as a gift by His [precious, undeserved] grace, through the redemption [the payment for our sin] which is [provided] in Christ Jesus – Romans 3:24 (AMP)

We have been made right with God without any religious requirement on our part. There is no more curtain to pass through, the curtain has been destroyed.

Now that we know what we have—Jesus, this great High Priest with ready access to God—let’s not let it slip through our fingers. We don’t have a priest who is out of touch with our reality. He’s been through weakness and testing, experienced it all—all but the sin. So let’s walk right up to him and get what he is so ready to give. Take the mercy, accept the help. – Hebrews 4:14-16 (MSG)

Beloved, the way is clear for you to walk right up to God, but you need to tear apart the curtain that you’ve hung up so that you could enter into the fullness of His presence.

Amen †

 

Shelley Johnson “The Curtain” ©2026 February 8, 2026