and now, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom, the earth shook, and the rocks were split.
This powerful episode bears witness to the fulfillment of the plan of salvation: the tearing of the temple curtain “from top to bottom” shows that the separation between humanity and God was removed by God’s own initiative. The curtain separated the Holy Place from the people. Beyond the curtain only the high priest entered once a year, with a sacrifice, but through Christ’s sacrifice that barrier was removed, and direct access to God’s presence was opened for people (Heb. 10:19–20). The earthquake and the splitting of the rocks testified that all creation responded to the Savior’s death: nature bowed before the Creator. These signs show that the moment of Jesus’ death was at the same time the beginning of judgment and of new life—the end of the old covenant and the establishment of the new Covenant.