Darkness over the land

‘From noon until three in the afternoon darkness came over all the land. About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”). When some of those standing there heard this, they said, “He’s calling Elijah.”  Immediately one of them ran and got a sponge. He filled it with wine vinegar, put it on a staff, and offered it to Jesus to drink. The rest said, “Now leave him alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to save him.” And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit.’ Matthew 27:45-50

I remember the first solar eclipse that I saw as a child. It felt very exciting and like a monumental thing to be part of. An eclipse is when the moon moves into a position in the sky where it blocks all or part of the sun from view. In 1999, there was a solar eclipse recorded that was visible from the UK. The only place in the UK to witness a total eclipse of the sun was Cornwall. Those who witnessed it said that the temperature dropped, darkness fell and it was very dramatic. In other places in the UK, ‘observers in various places noted birds falling silent, daylight colours turning to grey, and temperatures falling.’

I don’t remember my exact reaction to the solar eclipse as a child, but I can imagine that it felt scary. It’s not natural for darkness to descend on the land in the middle of the day. We rely on the sun to give us light, even when it’s hiding behind the clouds- which feels quite often in the UK!

In this bleak passage of scripture in Matthew 27, that is exactly what happens when Jesus is on the cross. The ‘king of the Jews’ nailed to a cross, beaten and flogged. A darkness descends over all the land and then, Jesus dies.

I can’t imagine the grief and deep hopelessness that I may have felt, watching as a disciple. My teacher, my friend, gone.

Yet, when Jesus gives up His spirit, something miraculous happens. ‘The curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split and the tombs broke open. The bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. They came out of the tombs after Jesus’ resurrection and went into the holy city and appeared to many people.’ Matthew 27:51-53.

Surely, there was something different about this man. Surely, He was who He said He was.
When we read ahead to the next chapter, we see that the darkness doesn’t stay. The Son rises again. Our hope is in not merely in the death of Jesus, but in His resurrection and the eternal life He has won for us.  

John 1:5 tells us that ‘the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.’ That light is Jesus.

Even when it feels like we are walking through the darkest season of our life, the light of Christ can shine in. Even when it feels like all is lost, just as it did when Jesus was on the cross, the light of Christ can bring hope. The light of Christ can bring comfort.

I pray that today you would know the light of Christ in your heart, and that you would shine His light to the people around you.

• Susie Raybould

Inward prayer: Jesus, you have overcome death and darkness and today I receive your light.

Outward prayer: Help me to shine your light into every conversation and interaction that I have today.