Yesterday, I got to spend Easter at Machu Picchu. I hiked miles to get there. The last mile or so took me to Sunrise Gate at the top of this mountain that Machu Picchu rested on. As I sat there waiting for the sun to peek out of the clouds, I thought: “This is a place where people, hundreds of years ago, went to perform rituals and ceremonies related to their gods. Which most of those gods were gods of creation like thunder, moon, sun, and so on. Yet here I am, worshipping THE God who created everything. THE God who is alive today. How can it be!”
My patience was growing weary. I just wanted the fog and clouds (yes clouds because we were that far up on the mountain) to disappear so that I could see the beautiful scenery I hiked up here for. But I couldn’t see anything. No mountains. No trees. Nothing.
Finally after some time sitting there, the fog and clouds, lifted. I could finally see the lush mountains and the smooth valley below. I could finally see some of the ancient ruins. It was clear. Nothing was hindering the view.
In that moment, emotion over took me. I imagine that’s what the temple was like when the veil split. When Jesus came and died, and then rose three days later… that’s what He did for us. He cleared the air. There was no longer any need of a temple. It was torn. The veil fell to the ground. It no longer needed to go back up because Jesus paid the price. He paid the price for the separation from sin.
The Holy of Holies was now opened for all people. It was now opened for me… free of charge. A mark of a new covenant.
And if that wasn’t enough, Jesus making a way to the Father. God also decided that I can encounter Him face to face with no hindrance. I can communion with Him without anything getting in the way. The fog and clouds were lifted FOR ME. I can finally understand and discern the beauty of God after being blinded to it… because of Jesus. Face to face interaction is finally possible, through seeing Christ. Through looking at Jesus’ face.
My breath was taken away. Tears were flowing. And God was speaking to me on top of this mountain.
That’s why I celebrate Easter. The story didn’t end at the cross. My Savior is alive, and reigning today. The veil was torn FOREVER. I can come to God with all my fears, dreams, and desires… knowing He hears me and cares deeply about me. I can be in a relationship with the God of the universe. Now that’s something worth celebrating.
“And so, dear brothers and sisters, we can boldly enter heaven’s Most Holy Place because of the blood of Jesus. By his death, Jesus opened a new and life-giving way through the curtain into the Most Holy Place. And since we have a great High Priest who rules over God’s house, let us go right into the presence of God with sincere hearts fully trusting him. For our guilty consciences have been sprinkled with Christ’s blood to make us clean, and our bodies have been washed with pure water.” -Hebrews 10:19-22
