How did the tearing of the veil in Matthew 27:51 change how we worship God? Did it affect the need to observe the Ten Commandments, tithe, or offer sacrifices, for example?

The veil in the tabernacle and Temple separated the Holy of Holies from the rest of the structure. In Old Testament times, the Ark of the Covenant was kept in the Holy of Holies (Ex. 40:3; 1 Kings 8:6) and no one was permitted to pass beyond the veil except the High Priest once a year (Heb. 9:7–8).

In Jesus’ day, the Temple did not contain the Ark of the Covenant, but the veil that separated the Holy of Holies remained (Matt. 27:51; Heb. 9:3–4). This separation reminded Israel that God is holy. The idea of a sacred space into which no one could enter served to reinforce the idea that they needed to be cleansed from their sin before they could commune with God. In his Gospel, Matthew describes a dramatic moment when Jesus died and “the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split” (Matt. 27:51).

Hebrews 9 explains the significance of that moment. Before the death of Christ, cleansing from sin was accomplished by repeated, ritual sacrifice. God accepted the death of animals as payment and forgave the worshiper. But with the death of Christ, God removed the need for the earlier system. The death of Christ was such a perfect sacrifice, that no animal could cleanse people more thoroughly (Heb. 9:12–14).

Along with that change and under a new covenant (Luke 22:20), God removed the expectation for people to obey the Law of Moses as a requirement for relationship and blessing. The new covenant, which Christ’s death inaugurated, did not contain these requirements as covenantal obligations. Instead, the responsibilities of Christians focus on the moral commands given in the New Testament, which often reflect those of the Old Testament!

For example, of the Ten Commandments, nine are restated in the New Testament (Rom. 13:8–10). Adultery? Still forbidden (1 Cor. 6:18). Murder? Love your neighbor. Others have been refocused on the heart of the issue. As for tithing, “God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Cor. 9:6–7). Kindness to strangers? Show hospitality (Heb. 13:2). But still others have been done away with completely. Sacrifices? Circumcision? Dietary laws? Those have been set aside in Christ (Acts 15).