The Sun Understood

courtesy morguefile

As I read and reflected on the crucifixion of our Lord Jesus Christ, something struck me. Jesus was in darkness for three whole hours! According to Our Daily Bread, many theologians believe that during this period of darkness the fellowship between the Father, Son and Holy spirit was broken as God,  unable to look at the ugly cloak of sin that Jesus wore, turned His face away from His only begotten Son. .

 Darkness is a time when sinister things happen.  Darkness symbolizes evil, loneliness, depression. Wicked people perform their deeds under the cover of darkness, and Satan, we are told, is the Prince of darkness.

Darkness is fine when you are asleep. But to be in darkness when you are awake is not normal. However, darkness can be a comforting thing. Have you ever gone through one of those times when you felt the need to be in darkness?  To just draw the blinds, turn off the lights and make the world go away. It can be one of the worst times.

Maybe that’s the way Jesus felt as he hung on the cross, weighted down by your sin and mine, and most of all, forsaken by His Father. Hear His cry of anguish: And at three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”) Mark 15 : 34. 

And the sun understood.

The sun drew the curtains of heaven together so both Father and Son could suffer in silence. And in darkness. 

But every period of suffering – yours, mine - comes to an end. After three hours, the darkness lifted and Jesus breathed His last. 

Yes, suffering does end. One day there will be no need for darkness.

“There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever” (Revelation 22: 5).

We will live in the eternal light of God’s presence because one day, over two thousand years ago., Jesus wrapped Himself in the darkness of our sin.

Want to know more about what happened that day? Grab a copy of my ebook For God So Loved today while it’s still on free. Have a blessed Easter.