Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour. Matthew 27:45
One of the most tangible darknesses I have ever felt was when our family took a tour of the Springhill Miners Museum, which included a descent into the mine that is part of the museum. After we had tramped some distance underground, the guide stopped the group and explained that the lights would be briefly turned off, so we could understand how dark it can be in a mine. The darkness that followed was brief, but it was impressive! It felt thick and almost solid, like putting your head inside a huge lump of coal. There was an audible sign of relief when the guide turned the lights on, and many remarked at the powerful density of that darkness. But could it possibly have been more dense than the cloak of darkness that spread over Jerusalem and its environs as the Lord Jesus hung on the cross?
We can, in a measure, understand why the Lord Jesus endured the beatings and cruelties of his tormentors, as He proved that His love for sinners was greater than the sin. We can also understand, in a measure, why He must endure the judgment of God, to provide a satisfaction for all the sin that stood between us and a holy God. We can also grasp the necessity that the Lord Jesus must shed His blood, because only by the shedding of blood can there be remission of sin. But why was there darkness at Calvary? Why did the sun darken and leave its creator without the comfort of its illuminating rays? Why were the mockers, the tormentors, and even the grieving followers of Christ not permitted to view the events of those tremendous three hours? I believe that the darkness of Calvary was a necessary component of the sufferings required for our salvation.
What is darkness? Albert Einstein is quoted as saying that darkness is simply a term we use to indicate an absence of light. If we keep in mind that God is light (I John 1:5), we can then define darkness as that which is not God. That is why we read of men loving darkness rather than light, because their deeds are evil (John 3:19). That is also why we read of hell being referred to as outer darkness (Matthew 8:12, Matthew 22:13). The most terrifying part of being lost is the darkness of eternal separation from God. As we consider the darkness that cloaked Calvary, we understand that the Lord Jesus entered into that darkness for us. For those three hours, He experienced darkness so deep that He must cry, My God, My God, why has Thou forsaken Me? The Saviour Who bore our shame and suffering, our punishment for sins, also bore our darkness.
The light of the glorious Gospel of Christ has shined into our souls only because He has conquered the darkness. -Jim MacIntosh