April 24

PART II.—Matthew 27:51.

HAVING glanced at the event recorded, let us now endeavour to ascertain its spiritual signification and design. Is was doubtless designed to represent the entire abolition of the old dispensation with all its rites and ceremonies. It is highly probable that the veil was rent just as the High Priest was standing before the mercy-seat, and was the signal for the termination of the Aaronical Priesthood for ever. Now the sacred place was open to universal gaze, God himself having torn the intervening veil from the top to the bottom While it denoted the extinction of the old economy with its priests and sacrifices it also was obviously designed to honour Jesus in his priestly office, and the sacrifice which he was now offering for the redemption of a guilty world. The ancient dispensation was entirely typical, the whole was shadowy of Christ and his kingdom. Jesus the true priest, having therefore appeared, and the sacrifice having been offered which alone possessed saving efficacy, it was proper that the types and shadows should now pass away. Now too was rent another veil, even the body of the Saviour, in which had been concealed all the fulness of the indwelling Godhead. And now too was Jesus ready as the great Priest of his church, to enter into the holiest place of all, even the heaven of heavens, there to appear in the presence of God for us. Finally, the rending of the veil, was doubtless also designed symbolically to express the removal of the wall of partition between the Jewish and the Gentile worlds. Now there is, "neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free, but Christ is all and in all." It is a glorious truth that Christ is not only the Messiah of the Jews, but the Saviour of all men, especially of them who believe.