The Darkness at Noon: A Divine Moment that Changed Everything
Luke 23:44
44 “ It was now about [a]the sixth hour, and darkness [b]fell over the whole land until [c]the ninth hour”
Have you ever considered the profound significance of darkness falling over the earth at the moment of Jesus' crucifixion? This wasn't just a localized event or a mere solar eclipse. It was a divine occurrence that spoke volumes about the universal importance of what was taking place on that cross.
Imagine, if you will, a day like any other. The bustling markets of China's Han Dynasty are alive with the production of silk. In India, sages ponder the mysteries of existence through the teachings of Hinduism and Buddhism. Across the ocean, Mayan priests track the movements of celestial bodies, while in Africa, the kingdoms of Kush and Axum thrive on trade in gold and incense.
But in one corner of the world, an event is unfolding that will change the course of human history forever.
Luke 23:44 tells us, "It was now about the sixth hour, and darkness fell over the whole land until the ninth hour." This darkness, lasting from around noon to 3 PM, was more than just a somber backdrop to Christ's suffering. It was the display of God's judgment and the lengths that God would go to save humanity.
Yet, in an instant, this ordinary day became extraordinary. The darkness that fell wasn't confined to Jerusalem or even just Israel. Historical accounts suggest it affected the entire known world. Early historians like Thallus tried to explain it as a solar eclipse, but as Julius Africanus later pointed out, this was impossible during a full moon at Passover. The Greek writer Phlegon not only mentioned this darkness but also noted an earthquake occurring around 33 AD.
This wasn't just a natural phenomenon. It was supernatural – a moment when God seemingly turned His face away as His Son bore the weight of the world's sin. As 1 John 1:5 reminds us, "God is light; in him there is no darkness at all." So when darkness fell, it was as if creation itself was mourning, giving us a glimpse of what life without God's presence would be like.
The cross serves to show us that apart from God, we remain in darkness. But it also reveals that God is light shining out of darkness. The beginning of grace is becoming aware of the darkness we actually live in without Him.
This cosmic event reinforces the reality of what truly happened at the cross. It exposes our desperate need for Jesus and the lengths God would go to save us. Even Matthew's account of resurrected saints coming out of tombs and appearing in the city shows that this death and resurrection impacted not just those who came after, but even those who looked forward to the coming Messiah in faith.
When we truly grasp the extreme measures God took to set us free from sin, how can we not be moved to love Him more? Luke 7:36-50 illustrates this beautifully in the story of the sinful woman who anointed Jesus' feet. Her extravagant display of love came from a deep understanding of how much she had been forgiven. Jesus explained, "Her sins, which are many, have been forgiven, for she loved much; but he who is forgiven little, loves little."
This story challenges us: Do we truly understand the depth of our forgiveness? Do we recognize how badly we needed to be saved? Our expression of love towards God is directly related to our internal realization of His amazing grace. The woman knew she was a sinner; she was fully aware of her darkness. Simon the Pharisee, on the other hand, saw himself as a good person, not in need of much forgiveness, and thus showed little appreciation for Jesus.
It's a sobering thought that as Jesus was dying on the cross, the world continued in its distractions – much like today. Many are still caught up in politics, culture, trade, markets, and the general busyness of life, missing the profound reality of what Christ has done.
But here's the good news: No matter what you've done, no matter how dark your past, you can always turn to God. That moment of darkness at the cross tells us that there is nothing too severe or too evil that God cannot forgive if we truly repent. He came to save that which was lost, to bring us out of darkness into His marvelous light.
However, we must be careful not to live our lives flippantly, with little regard for the true impact of the cross. If we remain casual about the enormity of God's grace, we won't love well. But when we grasp the full measure of the cross and all that He really did for us despite our sinfulness, we can't help but respond with overwhelming love and gratitude.
As we reflect on this universal moment of darkness, let it serve as a reminder of several profound truths:
1. The cross was a pivotal moment in history that affected the entire world.
2. God's love for us is so vast that He was willing to turn His face away from His own Son to save us.
3. Apart from God, we are in utter darkness – but He is the light that shines in that darkness.
4. Our response to God will be proportional to our understanding of how much we've been forgiven.
5. No sin is too great for God's forgiveness if we genuinely repent and turn to Him.
Today, don't wait another moment to consider all that God has done for you. You have no promise of another minute. Reflect on the lengths He has gone to save you, and let that realization fuel your love and devotion to Him. For in Christ, we have been brought out of darkness into His wonderful light – and that changes everything.
Blessings,
Pastor Greg (PG)
