The final moment, when life tore out of the body of Jesus (Mark 15:33-37), was mirrored in the temple curtain.  That heavy fabric obstruction was placed between the 'holy' and 'most holy' places of the temple.  Only the high priest could go behind that curtain, and then only once a year accompanied by sacrificial blood - to make atonement for the sins of the nation.  Behind that curtain was the space for God's presence.  It was not that God was contained in that space, for He is everywhere; but He chose to reserve a special place on earth as a reminder that He is a holy God.  Because of their sins, the people learned that God was inaccessible to sinners, and the curtain was to keep them out.

When Jesus died, He was being punished for the sins of the world, so that repentant sinners might be brought back into relationship with God.  The top to bottom tear, exposing the holiest place of God to priests and people, was a Divine sign that the death of Christ had made an open way into God's presence (Hebrews 10:20-22).  The Lord Jesus Christ was the great High Priest for everybody, and the sacrificial blood was His.

In Mark's mind there was a significant link between that sign and the Roman centurion's assessment of Jesus.  Unlike most of the characters in the gospel, including all the disciples, who were Jews - in awe of God's holiness contrasting with their sinfulness - that Gentile had his own assumptions ripped apart.  Jesus was not just another criminal.  He was so very different in the measured composure of His death and the determined dismissal of His spirit.  What the centurion saw of Jesus defeated his pagan thinking.  Those observations led the hardened soldier to see that Jesus was the Son of God.  The cross opened the way for both Jews and Gentiles to become children of God – becoming one Body in Christ Jesus (Galatians 3:28-29).

The eyes of most of our friends are tightly closed lest they might see, hear and understand the truth (Isaiah 6:10;  2 Corinthians 4:4).  But as some will dare to look long enough at the crucified Jesus, the light will come on (1 Corinthians 1:22-24).  Alas, much of our so-called 'evangelism' either says nothing or speaks generically of God and church.  Without placing Jesus as the subject of the conversation, we may simply encourage a further tightening of the spiritual eyelids.  But once we talk about Jesus, and in particular the reason for His death, God starts to tear down the barrier in people's hearts (1 Corinthians 2:2).  So if you want your family or colleagues to know who Jesus is, start by discussing His death.  It will make for some enlightening discussions!