Mark 1:9-11
Jesus came from Nazareth into Galilee was baptized by John in the Jordan River. When Jesus came up out of the water, he saw the heavens split open and the Holy Spirit descending like a dove on him. And a voice came from heaven saying, “You are my beloved Son, and I am fully pleased with you.”

This event marked the beginning of God’s earthly ministry and ultimately of His interaction with His creation. The three years following the baptism of Jesus were a culmination of a plan for unity and connection between man and God. The plan was set in motion when the Holy Spirit came like a dove upon Jesus. The heavens were torn open and God was reunified with man through Jesus. The baptism was the beginning. Through the ministry of Jesus over the next three years, God revealed His character, will, and desire for all mankind.

Mark 15:35-39
At Jesus’ crucifixion, some of the bystanders misunderstood and thought he was calling for the prophet Elijah. One of them ran and filled a sponge with sour wine, holding it up to him on a stick so he could drink. “Leave him alone. Let’s see whether Elijah will come and take him down!” he said. Then Jesus uttered another loud cry and breathed his last. And the curtain in the Temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. When the Roman officer who stood facing him saw how he had died, he exclaimed, “Truly, this was the Son of God!”

This event marked the end of God’s earthly ministry. When Jesus breathed out his spirit, it entered into the temple and ripped the eighty foot curtain - separating the holy of holies from the rest of the temple - from top to bottom. The tearing of the curtain signified that the barrier and separation between man and God is broken. Just as the Heavens were split open during the baptism of Jesus, the curtain tears at his death illustrating that freedom and liberty were to be implemented. God was now for everyone. A Roman guard, a gentile, received the prophesy and spoke it out. Everything that had kept people from God had been removed.

Colossians 3:1
Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits at God’s right hand in the place of honor and power. Let heaven fill your thoughts. Do not think only about things down here on earth.

We now have the ability to communicate face-to-face with God. We are seated right next to Him and share a new intimacy with Him. We can come close to God because Jesus made us Holy. We have been elevated and raised up into communication with Jesus who allows us to feel, see, and hear at a whole new level. We no longer have to doubt who we are or feel inferior because we have been elevated. We let Heaven fill our thoughts. Live a real life, but keep your thoughts on Heaven. God has a vision for your life. You still have to deal with life, but you no longer have to run from it. When God came to Earth and dismantled the barrier it no longer mattered who we were. God received us and transformed us. God is never content to leave you where he found you. He deals with your issues as you allow Him to. What you imagine is what you become. Let your thoughts dwell on Heaven. Stay close to Jesus. Remain seated with Him and slowly become renewed.