Thought for the Month - April 2015

"Darkness into light" by Barry Adair

It is possible, even in Ireland, to observe the odd solar eclipse. We do seem to get an overly generous share of thick cloud in the Emerald Isle! However on Friday 20th March, at about 9:30 in the morning, my daughter and I were able to watch a partial solar eclipse. There were clouds in the sky but they cleared enough to allow us to witness this beautiful natural phenomenon. I have thought of a few things since seeing this event and wanted to share them here.

There is something very strange about it becoming significantly darker on an otherwise bright morning. Although the partial eclipse didn't last long it was all a little eerie. Even the morning birdsong seemed to be interrupted during those few minutes until normal daylight returned.

I thought back to a time when the sun was blocked out for a lot longer than simply a few minutes. It seems that the longest eclipse can give rise to just a little over seven minutes of semi-darkness. The Bible tells us of a time when the Earth was in darkness for three whole hours. Of course, the time I am referring to is during the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. And this being our Thought for April is no coincidence.

It was now about the sixth hour (12 noon), and darkness fell over the whole land until the ninth hour (3pm), because the sun was obscured; Luke 23:44-45

It is the time and the event that Christians all over the world remember during the Easter period.

It got me thinking about these 3 hours of darkness. Some authors have interpreted the darkness as a period of mourning by the cosmos itself at the death of Jesus. Others have seen it as a sign of God's judgement on the Jewish people and others as symbolising the mental suffering of Jesus.

The proper authority on the matter, i.e. the Bible itself, is relatively silent on the matter. That the sky would darken during the physical and mental torture of Jesus just seems fitting to me. It was as if nature wanted to obscure that horrible sight!

The darkness on that crucifixion day gave way to daylight but the world has never been the same since. Jesus didn't go through that awful suffering for nothing. He died so that we might live. It was our sin that He bore on that cross.

My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!

And of course on the third day, "Easter" Sunday, Jesus rose from the grave. His sacrifice for the sin of the world had been accepted by the Father and His resurrection is a precursor of many more to come. All those who humbly accept Jesus as Saviour will one day be raised eternal. It is nothing to do with any of us; as Christians we are only accepted into Heaven based on the atoning work of the Lord Jesus Christ, and on His work alone.

We will all experience times of darkness in our lives. It may be the darkness of ill health, the darkness of depression, the darkness associated with unconfessed personal sin or the darkness of bereavement. Providing comfort to those going through this 'darkness' is difficult. However, one thing I do know is that, for the Christian, there is light after the darkness.

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

God can take our darkness and turn it into light.

Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, "I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life." John 8:12

"I have come as Light into the world, so that everyone who believes in Me will not remain in darkness." John 12:46

My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!

For you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light
Ephesians 5:8

Praise God for light after the darkness! "Happy Easter" to all, from all of us in 'the Grove'…

Until next month (dv)…

Are you SURE that you have your place booked in Heaven? Read this if you're not!