When Jesus Died – Resurrection Sunday

“And he made the veil of blue and purple and crimson fabrics and fine linen, and he worked cherubim on it.”

2 Chronicles 3:14

While doing further study on the veil, I came across this verse describing the items used to fashion it together. In a prior devotional, we shared about some of the other details of the veil. It’s thickness, durability, purpose, who made it and with what materials. In short, there was no shortage of the finest products and people creating this veil. 

But this specific detail stuck out. Which led me to ask, “what is the purpose and meaning of listing the colors of threads used on the veil?”

Colors have meaning, and a deeper representation. These 4 colors point to the greater event and further highlight the grander purpose of Jesus’ work on the cross. The 4 colors listed are: blue, purple, red and white. These have meaning and definition, and all point toward Jesus’ work on the cross. Taking all our sin, paying the price and creating the opportunity for the Spirit of God to no longer be withheld from His children. 

The veil being torn from top to bottom signified a couple things: 1. God’s Spirit being released and accessible to all instead of a select few, and 2. a representation of heaven coming down to earth.

Because of Jesus’ willing sacrifice paying the price for our sins, He released the Spirit and gave a physical representation of His Spirit coming down from heaven to reside with us. 

You may be asking, “why are the colors significant?” Before we answer that, let’s take a look at the meaning and assumed definition of what each color represents.

(This will be only a brief overview of the colors and the spiritual meaning behind each, but there is much to discover in the study of blue Biblically. After taking some time to read deeper myself, I know I won’t be able to cover all of it, but I encourage you to study if this piques your interest).

Blue: The mere fact this color was used for an item in the tabernacle points towards a deeper spiritual meaning of the color: divine revelation and the heavenly realm. Blue being used in an item specifically crafted for a unique purpose, protecting and holding in the presence of God, there was an understanding of its significance. If we understand blue as a color of divine revelation and the heavenly realm, we can safely assume its significance. In response to Jesus’ work on the cross, we can see how it was a moment of “divine revelation and the heavenly realm”. There was so much more at work than what was seen. It truly was a divine moment of heaven invading earth! And the word “revelation” means removing the veil. Wow. 

Purple: This color was frequently used as a way to display and honor royalty, both Scripturally and historically. Purple was frequently used in adorning kings and priests and was often draped onto the shoulders of a king who conquered a nation. Along with royalty, purple also has a reference to victory. Jesus was mocked as “King of the Jews” (Mt 27:37) and from the outside, it looked as if He had lost. But on the contrary! Their mocking of His Lordship held the truth of who Jesus was, a King! And what looked like a deep, gut-wrenching loss turned into the greatest victory of all time! Jesus is King and this color being included in the fashioning of the veil prophesied of the coming victory of our King!

Red: Red may be the most obvious correlation of the veil to Jesus’ work on the cross. Red is His shed blood. While this may be the most difficult one to think about, it is because of His shed blood we have freedom, forgiveness, grace and the power of the Holy Spirit. Under the law, the old covenant, sacrifice must follow sin to receive forgiveness and have the debt canceled. Blood had to be shed. When Jesus willingly chose to be crucified, He was allowing Himself to be the sacrificial lamb for the sin of the world. Under the old covenant (the law) animals were sacrificed on the altar, oftentimes animals such as lambs. Pure and spotless lambs. Jesus took on the punishment of all our sins and the blood He shed paid the debt and fulfilled the law for our transgressions. And even more, He not only obeyed the law, He fulfilled it and instituted a new set of standards! No longer was blood to be spilled for our sins, because Jesus already did it! What a wonderful gift, and this is why we declare “there is power in His blood” and “what can wash away our sins? Nothing but the blood of Jesus.”

White: I love this color reference in the story because this is the result. Everything Jesus did was done to wash us, cleanse us and make us pure and innocent. White is a color of cleanliness, purity, innocence and light. Jesus took on the filth of sin and paid the price in full and rose in victory. And when He rose, He washed each of us white as snow. He Himself was then clothed in white, signifying the purity and light He will now be to the world. He is the light of the world. When darkness thought it had won over Jesus, He came in clothed in white and the light overtook the dark! Jesus, being the light of the world (John 12:46) further shows how darkness is nothing, except the absence of light. Jesus is the light and made a way for us to also be the light! This is our purpose and responsibility as followers of Jesus; to show the Light and to be the light in the world. 

Why are the colors significant? They are because of the direct line from old to new. Law to grace. Flesh to Spirit. God’s story is not composed of separate, unrelated stories, but one long story of God’s plan for reconciliation and restoration with His children. Jesus is the fulfillment of the old and the creation of the new. Jesus did not come to abolish the law, but to fulfill it and institute a new way (Matthew 5:17). These colors are all part of the greater story.

I am still so moved by the Scriptures including the color of the thread used to piece and hold the veil together. Thousands of years prior, God chose to instruct His people in a way that would make an even greater impact later on. It simply is no accident or coincidence these details were included when constructing the temple because of how we saw it play out on the day of Jesus’ sacrifice. God is the same, yesterday, today and forever and His glory has been on display, even in the smallest of details. 

As you celebrate Resurrection Sunday, take time expressing your gratitude: of Jesus’ work on the cross, God’s consistency and faithfulness over time and the power He displayed and bestowed on us, His children. I cannot help but worship God because of who He is, and hopefully discovering the deeper details of God’s overarching story, leads you to profound and meaningful worship. 

Grateful for a loving God!

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