Why Did Caiaphas Tear His Robes?

Exodus 28:31-33
31 “You shall make the robe of the ephod all of blue. 32 There shall be an opening for his head in the middle of it; IT SHALL HAVE A WOVEN BINDING ALL AROUND IT'S OPENING, like the opening in a coat of mail, SO THAT IT DOES NOT TEAR. 33 And upon its hem you shall make pomegranates of blue, purple, and scarlet, all around its hem, and bells of gold between them all around:"

It was customary in ancient times that, when a relative died, they tear their clothes, put sackcloth on and ashes on their heads as a sign of mourning.  It was an accepted practice which was ok for everyone EXCEPT THE HIGH PRIEST.  Why?

Because he was a shadow representation of Jesus and, as such, set apart.  He was NEVER, EVER, under any circumstances to tear his clothes.  NEVER.

(Though not discussed in this article, if you're curious about the significance of the bells and pomegranates on the high priest’s hem and how they reveal a wonderful truth for the Church, follow this link:

http://emmausrevelations.blogspot.com/2014/12/gifts-and-fruits-of-spirit.html?m=1)

Why is God so concerned that the robe of the High Priest of Israel NOT TEAR?  To better understand the issue we must fast forward about 1500 years to the so-called "trial" of Jesus before Caiapahas, who was High Priest that year.

For some strange reason, there were actually two high priests at that time.  The name of the other one was "Annas."  Curiously enough, his name means "grace," and Caiaphas, "rock."  It's a picture of law and grace together.  In other words, Mixture!

Also, during this time, there was NO ARK OF THE COVENANT in the temple.  The Jews may not have known why but, actually, they didn't need the golden box.  The Real Ark was outside walking around among the people, healing and doing good everywhere He went! Our JESUS!!!

Let's follow the story of the discourse between Jesus and Caiaphas:
Matthew 26:62-65
"62 And the high priest arose and said to Him, “Do You answer nothing? What is it these men testify against You?” 63 But Jesus kept silent. And the high priest answered and said to Him, “I put You under oath by the living God: Tell us if You are the Christ, the Son of God!”
64 Jesus said to him, “It is as you said. Nevertheless, I say to you, hereafter you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming on the clouds of heaven.”
65 THEN THE HIGH PRIEST TORE HIS CLOTHES {uh oh} saying, “He has spoken blasphemy! What further need do we have of witnesses? Look, now you have heard His blasphemy! 66 What do you think?

Whoa! Whoa! Wait a minute.....Didn't we just read that this action is EXPRESSLY FORBIDDEN BY ALMIGHTY GOD?!
YES.  Yes, we did. 

Then why did he do it?  

Well for one thing, He was a corrupted high priest.  No doubt he was WELL AWARE of this law. 

HOWEVER....
What he didn't know, nor could he possibly have understood, was that the Man in Whose Presence he was standing was Very God in Human flesh; JESUS!  He would be replacing the Levitical priesthood and become High Priest FOREVER after the order of Melchizedek.

In ancient Israel, as you know, the High Priest went into the Holy of Holies once a year and offered a sacrifice for all the people.  This day is known as Yom Kippur. If he did everything right and his sacrifice was accepted by God, the whole nation was accepted. They'd have their sins covered for the next twelve months, have bumper crops and enjoy all the blessings of God for the year ahead.  

The opposite was also true.  If his sacrifice was not accepted, the whole nation was rejected. You see, God works through headships and leaderships.

(For more on this topic, follow this link:

http://emmausrevelations.blogspot.com/2014/08/as-high-priest-goes-so-goes-nation.html?m=1)

This went on for 1500 years.  The high priest's work was never done so he could never sit down.  You'll notice there aren't any chairs in the tabernacle. 

Jesus was both the OFFERER and the OFFERING!  He offered ONE sacrifice FOREVER and SAT DOWN ar His Father's right hand because HIS WORK WAS FINISHED. 

Though Caiaphas in no way understood the significance of his ILLEGAL act, the wrending of his consecrated robes accomplished two things: 

#1:  It symbolically abolished the Levitical priesthood as he threw them at the feet of Jesus, literally, and 

#2:  It signified that JESUS WAS THE NEW  HIGH PRIEST....FOREVER!

He never knew that the GREAT HIGH PRIEST OF THE NEW COVENANT WAS STANDING RIGHT IN FRONT OF HIM.  

No other priest was ever called "Great High Priest" except Jesus; and when He cried, "FINISHED!" His Father tore the temple veil in two from top to bottom.  It was the final act signifying that THE LAW IS USURPED BY GRACE !!!

...and that, Church, is why Caiapahas, the high priest, tore his robes.