Dr. Barclay with Something to Think About - DARKNESS

 DARKNESS

In both the books of Matthew and Mark, we are told that, at the time of Jesus’ death by crucifixion, 

from the sixth hour until the ninth hour 

there was darkness over all the land 

(Matthew 27:45)

and

when the sixth hour had come, 

there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour.

(Mark 15:33) 

This constituted one of the miracles that accompanied the crucifixion of Christ. Although some say this was an eclipse that just happened to take place at that time, examination shows that such was just not possible. No eclipse lasts for three hours and, in addition, the crucifixion took place at Passover, which itself occurred at the time of the full moon, thus also making an eclipse impossible. 

So why was there darkness for three hours? Darkness has often been associated with an absence of God and the knowledge of Him. Were the three hours an indication that He would be, as was Jonah:

…three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, 

so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. 

(Matthew 12:40)

In addition, there is a statement in the book of Amos:

“And it shall come to pass in that day,” says the Lord God,

“That I will make the sun go down at noon, 

And I will darken the earth in broad daylight…” 

(Amos 8:9)

In multiple passages in Scripture, darkness has long been associated with evil and the absence of God. There is also an association in some places with that future time called the day of the Lord.

The people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, 

and upon those who sat in the region and shadow of death 

Light has dawned. 

(Matthew 4:16)

Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil;

Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness;

Who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! 

(Isaiah 5:20)

Who walks in darkness 

And has no light?

Let him trust in the name of the Lord 

And rely upon his God. 

(Isaiah 50:10)

Those who sat in darkness and in the shadow of death,

Bound in affliction and irons… 

(Psalm 107:10)

He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, 

And broke their chains in pieces.

(Psalm 107:14)

Then I saw that wisdom excels folly 

As light excels darkness. 

(Ecclesiastes 2:13)

The way of the wicked is like darkness;

They do not know what makes them stumble.

(Proverbs 4:19)

There are many more examples illustrating darkness and the reason why we told to:

 

“…Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you; 

he who walks in darkness does not know where he is going.”

(John 12:35)

For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. 

Walk as children of light…

(Ephesians 5:8)

We are told in Genesis that God made two lights: 

…the greater light to rule the day [light] 

and the lesser light to rule the night [darkness]. 

(Genesis 1:16)

Unfortunately, it seems that too many people are still ruled by the lesser light, still ruled by darkness, and have not yet seen fit to:

…walk in the light as He is in the light… 

(1 John 1:7)

and

…walk before God 

In the light of the living… 

(Psalm 56:13)

The darkness that overcame the earth at the time of the crucifixion merely allowed us to see what it might be like to be forsaken by God and cast into the darkness without Him. Then, when we realize God has left us behind, we may also cry out as Jesus did at the ninth hour:

“My God My God why have you forsaken Me?” 

(Mark 15:34)

Three hours would apparently be more than enough to convince us that it is much better to walk in the light and not in the darkness. As Christ said:

“I am the light of the world. 

He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, 

but have the light of life.”

(John 8:12)

It certainly is something to think about.