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Luke

Luke 
Day 
Day 325

Luke 23:32-49; Matthew 27:45-50; Mark 15:23-41 "HOW LONG DID JESUS SUFFER ON THE CROSS?"

Day 325 – Luke 23

Text: Luke 23:32-49; Matthew 27:45-50; Mark 15:23-41

HOW LONG DID JESUS SUFFER ON THE CROSS?

Mark noted carefully how long Jesus suffered on the Cross. He wrote,

“Now it was the third hour,
and they crucified Him.”
Mark 15:25

The crucifixion of Jesus was held on a Friday, and the third hour, by Jewish reckoning would be equivalent to our 9 o’clock in the morning.

Mark went on to note an extra-ordinary event. The sky began to change even as the hours dragged by. He wrote,

“Now when the sixth hour had come,
there was darkness over the whole land
until the ninth hour.”
Mark 15:33

Suddenly there was a total eclipse of the sun for three hours! From Noon to 3 o’clock in the afternoon! This was obviously a supernatural event! Matthew made the same observation in his Gospel (Matthew 27:45). Luke added the following phrase to heighten the significance of this event.

“Then the sun was darkened…”
Luke 23:45

THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE SUN BEING DARKENED

The Old Testament prophets used terminology like the sun becoming dark in a special way. Let us consider the following passages. Joel used such imagery in his prophecy.

“And I will show wonders in the heavens
and in the earth…
The sun shall be turned into darkness…”
Joel 2:30-31

When supernatural events take place, it is obvious that an important lesson is being taught. Only God can “show wonders in the heavens and in the earth”. Only God can actually cause the sun to be turned into darkness. God was involved in the crucifixion scene somehow! What was He trying to say to all who were there?

Amos also used similar language. In his book he wrote,

“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

Once again, we note that God is the Person who can and will cause such a phenomenon to happen. It actually happened when Jesus was crucified!

Did the sudden and prolonged darkness cause some to fear? What was God saying when He caused this total eclipse of the sun?

INTERPRETING THE DEEP DARKNESS THAT SETTLED ON THE EARTH

The Gospel writers did not elaborate on the meaning or significance of the darkness that enveloped the earth. However, we may suggest the following thoughts:-

1. The Darkness may well speak of God’s Presence.

Consider a passage written by the Psalmist David.

“He bowed the heavens also, and came down
with darkness at His feet…
He made darkness His secret place,
His canopy around Him was dark waters
And thick clouds of the skies.”
Psalm 18:9, 11

God was also present at the Crucifixion of Jesus, His only begotten, beloved Son!

2. The Darkness could well represent God’s Wrath

Obviously, God was displeased with the injustice and indignity that Jesus had suffered under the hands of wicked men! Did the foolish and ignorant louts challenge Jesus as to His identity as the Messiah? God was the One who anointed Him. If anyone spoke against Jesus, he had in fact spoken against God Himself. (Cf. Exodus 16:7-8).

3. The Darkness could well represent God’s Judgment of the Sins of mankind which were carried by Jesus

Jesus had come to take away the sins of the world, as the Lamb of God. His death would be the needed propitiation for our sins! God was judging Jesus as the One who bore our iniquities on His shoulders!

4. The Darkness could well be one of the signs of the Day of the Lord.

The sign of darkness was prophesied by both Joel and Amos in association with the Day of the Lord – the Day of Final Judgment of the world!

WITH BATED BREATH

Would the darkness pass? Would Jesus be able to turn away the righteous wrath of God? Would His death be sufficient to atone for the sins of the world.

For three long hours, the darkness settled over the land! Nobody could explain this strange darkness that must have caused some fear and panic! This supernatural phenomenon must mean something awesome is about to take place!

What if the sun never shone again? What if the darkness signaled the end of the earth? What if the darkness meant that God had come to judge the whole earth? Anyone with wisdom would be troubled in heart and mind! Have you made your peace with God?