Barriers are everywhere, physically and figuratively, to keep people or things in or out, or to define our space. There are physical barriers, such as fences and bushes, around yards, gardens, dog runs and along property lines. Barricades separate countries along borders. Cubicle walls divide open offices to provide a small sense of privacy at work.
Figurative barriers are even more prolific, such as barriers between cultures, races and classes to separate people. The tracks define what type of people are on the wrong side. Relocating to another city, state or country creates a buffer zone between us and our parents, or our past. Sarcasm or humor deflect someone’s serious inquiries about us, not allowing them to get to know how vulnerable we truly are. Drugs or alcohol prevent us from dealing with reality. We lash out at someone so our own insecurities and faults remain concealed. Fear and bigotry keeps us isolated from things we don’t understand.
We conjure up lots of barriers for ourselves. But God gave instructions for only one barrier to be built, to define His space here on Earth. In the Old Testament, the Temple in Jerusalem included the outer courts, the Holy Place, and the innermost room called the Most Holy Place. Common people gathered in the outer courts. Priests offered prayers and burned incense in the Holy Place.
The Most Holy Place housed the Ark of the Covenant, and therefore, represented God’s dwelling place here on Earth. It was a place so sacred and so holy, only the High Priest – and only the High Priest – was allowed to enter it once per year. A heavy, ornate curtain separated the Most Holy Place from the rest of the temple, keeping God separate from people.
When Jesus died on Good Friday, that heavy curtain tore in two, tearing from top to bottom, exposing what was inside (Mark 15:38). Once that happened, there was no more physical or figurative barrier between us and God. With that barrier removed, He became directly accessible, available and approachable to everyone, at any time.
So, if God shredded the one barrier that was hindering His relationship with us, why do we insist on building so many that hinder our relationships with others?
What barriers have you built in your life, and how will you dismantle them?
Hard to believe I would be the first to comment on this post?! Even 10 days later?!
I always notice the physical barrier that marks property, The Fence!
And I deny the figurative barrier that marks me, The Sin!
I guess it is the season of tearing stuff down, in the name of ???? . So I better get started tearing down my sin.