INCLUSIVENESS is a really an important topic right now in our nation and the world. Have you ever thought of the Easter story having a message of inclusiveness?   

For years now, while striving for my right as a Christ follower to teach God’s Word in the Church, I have used the Easter story to make my point that I was included in ministry.   

You see, on that fateful night when Christ died for all of us, it is recorded in three Gospels  (Matt. 27:51, Mk 15:38, Lk 23:45) that while on the cross, the huge tapestry in the Temple which separated everyone except the High Priest from the Holy of Holies, was torn in two from top to bottom.  This is an awesome event!   

You see, that veil represented the Old Covenant where exclusiveness and discrimination prevailed.  The Temple in Jerusalem was divided into four courts and built on four levels..  The highest court was the Holy of Holies where only the High Priest could enter. 

The next level was reserved for the priests from the twelve tribes who served the High Priest on a rotating basis.  Next the everyday Jewish men and boys older than twelve were on the same level but worshipped along the walls of that level. Women who came to worship were to remain on the lower level separate by a wall and a full 11 and a half feet lower than the men’s court.  Gentile sympathizers were allowed on the Temple Mount but only on the outer court outside the walls of the women’s court. 

BUT there is GOOD NEWS; Christ death and resurrection ushered in the New Covenant which gives all of us direct access to God.  The torn veil opened up this direct access.  The Old Covenant with its separation and exclusiveness was GONE, replaced by the New Covenant where ALL are brought near to the throne of God (Heb. 9 and 10)  

Hallelujah!!  FREE direct access for ALL; the priests, the men, the women, the children, both Jews and Gentiles.    Oh and by the way, the marvelous message of the resurrection was first given to a woman (Jn. 20:17) and she was told to “GO and Tell!” Wow!!! 

INCLUSION is a wonderful feeling. 

(My Temple information came from my Thompson Chain Reference p 1626.  This Bible was given to me by my parents for my High School Graduation)

 About Maydelle Fennick: I’m 79 years old , have lived in three states, grew up on a cotton farm in South Texas, ( even picked cotton ).  Our family of six children were in church every time the doors were open.  First decision to follow Christ was at age six, then a more significant decision at age thirteen.  My undergraduate work was in Missions in Nyack, New York (church college) and Masters in Education from Oneonta State University.    Met Jim in senior year of undergrad and have been blessed with 56 years of marriage. We have two daughters ,  Michele and Denise, both teachers in District 11.  Both Jim and I were elementary educators in that same district. I was a Reading teacher most of my years and Jim was a principal for many years.  Now retired we keep reading and Jim is an avid golfer.   We joined Grace Lutheran in 2015.