Luke 23:44-49: The day that Jesus died had to be an alarming day even if you did not know what was happening at Golgatha. The Bible tells it like this. Luke 23:45 “While the sun’s light failed. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. 46Then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!” And having said this he breathed his last.”
A few weeks ago we experienced the eclipse that only lasted a few minutes and total darkness enveloped some areas of our country. We had weeks of warning and even commentary about what to expect. The day Jesus died there was no forewarning. There was no commentator to remind the people to remain calm. It was just the dark. The same priests and religious leaders who had tried Jesus in their court of religious law and found him guilty of lying about who He was experienced something that no one could explain. The veil in the temple that had always separated the most holy place mysteriously tore from the top to the bottom on its own. No human hand would dare touch it and yet it was there for all to see. Darkness, mysterious, a heaviness of the hearts of people, I can just imagine. Then when the Savior breathed His last, I can also imagine those standing around saying, “What have we done?” “He was the Son of God.” “What will God do it us now?” Somber, eery, sad that must have been the feelings of those who loved Jesus but also those who had just committed murder against God’s Son. The right word to use may also be fear. And yet, God’s love for us was shown as He withheld destruction on these very people. His love knew that there was a greater plan at work and within 3 days all the world then and now would know the power of God through the gift of His Son. Awing! Oh God, thank you for that day and for every day since. Thank you Jesus for offering yourself as the sacrifice for sin, mine and everyone else’s. Thank you that on the cross that day you defeated sin, death, and the enemy who still longs to steal, kill and destroy us. Thank you that we can know for certain that one day soon You will return. Please Father, find us faithful telling others until You return.