When Jesus died, the curtain in the temple that separated the Holy of Holies from the other part of the Jewish temple was torn from top to bottom. God tore down the barrier that had separated people from God’s holy presence in the Holy of Holies. Only the high priest was allowed to enter the Holy of Holies once per year on the Day of Atonement to atone for the sins of the people. God tore the curtain, which means two things. First, through Jesus, God atoned for the sins of the world. Second, because of the death and resurrection of Jesus, God’s Spirit takes up residence in all who are open to the grace and mercy of God.
Our church buildings were built by committed members beginning in in 1891 with the first church building to be built in Sarasota. Our buildings have been dedicated to God so that we can gather and worship God together. First Church’s campus remains closed until at least May 15. It pains me to write that. But God is not locked up at 104 S. Pineapple Avenue. No. God cannot be contained in human houses of worship even though we miss being together there. The truth is each of us is the temple of God. It is God, in whom all of us “live and move and have our being.” I pray you sense the Holy Spirit within you today and that you reflect God’s presence to others—at a safe distance. May God bless you!
