Torn Open and Torn Apart

Introduction

In this study I’d like to take a look at a couple of words used at the start and end of Jesus’ ministry on earth. Often translated as “torn”, and “opened”, we will look at passages from all three synoptic gospels and examine the importance of what happens when these words are used. 

However, before we get to that point we must look at the story of creation, the story of the fall, and the rescue of the Israelites from Egypt. In starting our study there we will gain a fuller understanding of what is happening when we examine the passages in Matthew, Mark, and Luke.

Creation and the Fall

In Genesis 1, as God creates the earth we read of separation, separating light from dark (Genesis 1: 4), separating water from water (Genesis 1: 6), and the gathering together of sea and of land (Genesis 1: 9). In these verses we read of a good separation, a parting of things that brings order and life. Reading through Genesis 1: 4 - 19 we encounter this idea of separation and grouping, and the word often used in Hebrew is “ba.dal”. This is a positive word, bringing order to the place of chaos, and life to a place of emptiness.  It is in this place of created order that God creates Adam and Eve and gives them stewardship over creation, and is close to them, walking with them in this perfect garden.

Yet, shortly after this wonderful creation we read of the fall, and a negative separation comes in. In Genesis 3: 23 Adam and Eve are banished from the garden, in verse 24 they are driven out and an angel of the Lord is left to guard the garden, preventing them from reentering. This is where the negative separation enters humanity. Sin has separated humanity from God.

In this creation account we have positive separation, the created order where everything is in its place, as it should be so as to bring life. Then we have the very negative separation, where the relationship between God and humanity is broken.

Tracing through the Old Testament we see that God acts over and over to bring humanity back into relationship with Him. This is the story of Israel; God working to undo the separation that had come in because of sin. One of the key ways God does this is through the temple and the sacrificial system. But before we get to that we should look at a key moment in the history of God’s people; their rescue from Egypt

Rescue from Egypt

You can read through Genesis and Exodus how the people of God ended up in Egypt. It is a great story of the provision of God and of God guiding His people. We will jump right into the moment where they have fled Egypt and the stand before the Red Sea.

“Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and all that night the LORD drove the sea back with a strong east wind and turned it into dry land. The waters were divided, and the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with a wall of water on their right and on their left.”

Exodus 14: 21 - 22

The Israelites were being led through the sea towards the promised land, towards the place God had promised them. As they fled Egypt they were faced with a seemingly impossible task, the Red Sea lay before them and they had no way to cross it. There was a separation between them and the plans of God. Yet God did not leave them separated. Instead He separated, He divided the sea and made a way.  The word we have translated as “divided”, in  Hebrew is “ba.qa” meaning to split or open. God opens a way for the rescue of the Israelites, He opens a way for them to enter into all that He has promised them.

This is an example of division that brings life, and brings renewed relationship with God. It is important to remember this story as we get to the ministry of Jesus on earth.

The Temple

A final point of consideration in the Old Testament, before we get to the life and ministry of Jesus, is the temple. As we read the Old Testament we have the Tabernacle, as described in Exodus 25-31, and then in Exodus 45-40. In 1 Kings 6 we read of Solomon building the Temple, and then there is the Temple in Jerusalem, often referred to as the Second Temple. A key feature of all of these was an inner sanctum, the most holy of holies. This was where God dwelt, it was seen as the intersection between God’s realm and earth, the place where heaven and earth met. There was a curtain dividing this area from the rest of the temple; a heavy curtain that could not be moved accidentally; in early Jewish literature there are references to this curtain being as thick as hand span. (https://cbumgardner.wordpress.com/2010/04/06/the-thickness-of-the-temple-veil/) 

What is incredible here is that God is coming close to humanity, drawing near to his people. It is also a place where we see the separation that was caused by sin. Once a year the High Priest, having made sacrifices for himself, was allowed to enter to make the blood sacrifices for the people. Leviticus 16 details the process of making this sacrifice, a sacrifice designed to atone for the sins of the people and restore relationship with God.

Jesus’ Ministry

So, you may be wondering about the title of this post at this stage. After all, nothing has yet been torn. There’ve been plenty of things separated, and some things parted - such as the Red Sea, or the curtain around the Holy of Holies in the temple, but nothing actually “torn”.

Now we come to the life and ministry of Jesus on earth. Jesus’ ministry is launched publicly with His baptism in the river Jordan.

“At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. As Jesus was coming up out of the water he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove.”

Mark 1: 9 - 10

Here we have the phrase “torn open”, or in Greek “schisomenous”, from the root “schizo” meaning to tear or split. Here we have heaven split open and the Holy Spirit descending on Jesus, the Father commissions Him, and the Spirit empowers Him. It is a really powerful scene that gives us a glimpse into the heavenly realm and an understanding of the Trinity.

Matthew and Luke both record this moment, the verb they use is “anoigô”, meaning “to open”.

“As soon as Jesus was baptized he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on him.”

Matthew 3: 16

“When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too. And as he was praying heaven opened and the Holy Spirit descended on him like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.””

Luke 3: 21 - 22

In each case we have heaven opening and the unity of the Trinity on display. It is a public display, this is not hidden behind the heavy curtain of the temple, it is for all who were present to see.

It is in this opening that God is acting to begin the complete rescue of humanity, providing a way for all to be set free from sin in order to enter a relationship with God.

I personally find the word “torn” in Mark’s account to be particularly interesting. When we reach the end of Jesus’ time on earth we encounter the word “schizo” again. This time in all three synoptic gospels.

“At that moment the curtain in the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.”

Matthew 27: 51

“The curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.”

Mark 15: 38

“It was now about the sixth hour, and darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour, for the sun stopped shining. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two.”

Luke 23: 45

What is significant here is the tearing of this curtain. Once again the veil between earth and heaven is torn open. The key difference between this and Jesus’s baptism is permanence.

The curtain is torn (source https://www.hardysbc.net/blog/post/invited-into-gods-presence)

When Jesus was baptised heaven was opened and the Spirit descended on Jesus. Here, the curtain is torn from top to bottom, signifying this is God’s action, God is removing the barrier, completely removing the sacrificial system now that the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross has paid the price once and for all. The way is made open for all, at any time. In this moment the rescuing work of Jesus, which began with heaven opening at Jesus’ baptism, is completed, the way is open for all to come before God, for all to have a real, life giving relationship with God. There is no longer just one place where God dwells. We saw the Holy Spirit coming on Jesus at His baptism, heaven is now truly open and one impact of that is that the Holy Spirit is available to all who believe. This is what John meant when he talked about the one more powerful who was to come.

“John answered them all, “I baptize you with water. But one more powerful than I will come, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to unite. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.””

Luke 3: 16

Also, when we read on into Acts we read the fulfilment of the prophecy from Joel and the fulfilment of Jesus’ promise to send the helper.

“When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.”

Acts 2: 1 - 4

This is the power of “torn”, the benefit, and result of “schizo”. The veil, or barrier, between heaven and earth, between God and humanity has been removed once and for all; the Holy Spirit is sent to all who believe (Ephesians 1: 13 - 14).

Tearing the curtain, much like parting the Red Sea, offers all who believe an escape from a slavery. In the case of the curtain it is offering escape from slavery to sin, so for those who believe, it is the route to life in all its fullness, much like the pathway through the Red Sea was for the Israelites. 

More than that it offers a way to have a life with God now. God is no longer restricting Himself to one physical point in space, and He is no longer restricting access to one person, once a year. This is the power of the torn curtain, the Spirit that descended on Jesus at His baptism, when heaven was opened, is now available to all who believe.

I think that it is no coincidence that the writers of the synoptic gospels use very similar language at the start and end of Jesus’ ministry on earth. I believe it speaks to us today, speaking powerfully of the access to God that is made available to those who believe.

As I think about this simple word I give thanks for the open connection between heaven and earth, I give thanks for the fact that I can enter into a real relationship with the living God, and enjoy life in all its fullness. All of this because first heaven was torn open, and then the curtain was torn apart.