Thanksgiving

SCRIPTURE
And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit.  At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.

Matthew 27:50-51

OBSERVATION
The crucifixion was a violent and brutal event.  Jesus was beaten, bruised and bloodied even before he reached the cross.  All this was done for the sake of restoring God with his creation, so that we could have a new life in God.  At the moment of Jesus' death, the curtain of the temple was torn in two.  The curtain formed the entrance and barrier to the Holy of Holies.  It separated God's holiness from humanity's sinfulness.  Jesus' act on the cross removed this separation.  

APPLICATION
What a great reminder of Jesus' love for us.  He willingly endured suffering and death so that we could be made whole, so that we could experience a new life in God's presence.  How appropriate that this passage fell on Thanksgiving.  We have many things to be thankful for, but nothing should outweigh our thankfulness for God's love.  

PRAYER
Father, thank you for salvation.  Thank you for deliverance.  Thank you for grace and mercy.  Thank you for your love.