Every Christian will agree that a great miracle occurred that Friday that Jesus took upon Himself the sin of the whole world. Actually, as Matthew related that scene, as recorded in Matthew 27:45-54, one can count as many as five miracles: the sun turning to darkness, the splitting of the temple veil, the shaking of the earth, the resurrection of dead people, and the response of the soldiers. In these miracles is the message of the cross. In the noonday darkness, we learn the first lesson of the cross. Though Paul did not refer to the darkness, his commentary on the cross in 2 Corinthians 5:21 is a good synopsis of the lesson from the darkness. “For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.”
Reason for the Darkness
Have you ever stopped to ponder the reason for the darkness? Considering the imagery of darkness in other moments of Biblical history, perhaps God was saying something in the darkness of Crucifixion Day. God seemed to use darkness in the period of the Exodus to indicate a significant moment. The ninth plague was total darkness for three days. Right before the plague of death, which was the tenth plague, was the darkness. God was announcing through darkness, “I’m up to something.” The darkness at the Exodus and at the cross announced, “Look, this is a Divine moment! Don’t miss it!”
Does your way seem kind of dark right now? Don’t be in despair! God may be about to make an announcement about your life! Darkness often comes before Divine moments.
In addition to the darkness signaling a Divine moment, the darkness symbolized that the cross was a defining moment in human history. All throughout Scripture, evil and sin are referred to in terms of darkness. Good and righteousness are referred to in terms of light. The darkness of verse 45 is linked to the declaration of verse 46. Christ took upon Himself the sin of the whole world. In that moment, all sin—past, present, and future—fell upon the Savior. No wonder the sky grew dark!
The Theological Relevance of the Darkness
Out of this darkness, we sense some theological truths. First, we are reminded that sin separates us from God. Second, the depth of God’s love is revealed. Stop and think about it. The Bible describes Hell as a place of darkness, a place of torment, and a place of separation from God. Jesus, in those hours of darkness, went through all three so we would not have to go through these ourselves. Sometimes, people get into great debates as to who put Jesus on the cross. Was it the Jews, the Romans, Pilate or Judas? Let’s be clear about the answer. First, all people put Jesus on the cross. Second, Jesus placed Himself on the cross. He wanted to save people from sin.
What should be our response to such a display of love? We must join the centurion in saying, “Truly this {is} the Son of God.”
