The darkness of Easter
For three hours, darkness had covered the land. The people knew it was only noon, but it felt like midnight. For the small group that made it all the way to the place of crucifixion, they might have realized God’s hand in this event. He had blackened the sky as men on earth were killing the “LIGHT OF THE WORLD.”
For two, it was especially dark. Judas and Peter both had played a role in this drama. Each in his own way had turned his back on their friend. One had planned his betrayal, met with the High Priest, even made a little profit off this moment. The other had been caught off guard, responded with fear and exhaustion, claimed he did not know this man.
The darkness lasted only three hours. All at once, the earth shook, tombs were broken open and holy people came back to life. The curtain in the temple was ripped in half. All this happened when Christ shouted, “It is Finished.”
Yet the darkness never left the heart of Judas. He tried, first going back to the High Priest. He returned the 30 pieces of silver, was filled with remorse. “I have sinned,” he said, “for I have betrayed innocent blood.”
“So Judas threw the money into the temple and left. Then he went away and hanged himself.” Matt. 27:5
There is a simple lesson in this part of the story. The world experienced profound darkness, yet it ended after three hours. Judas lived in darkness, and unless he cried out in those last moments, the darkness will remain for eternity.
Peter took a different path. Experienced love, forgiveness and restoration. The darkness of that day was gone and all things were new.
Today, our world is in a time of darkness, fear, lockdown. A virus has been unleashed that is changing almost everything. How difficult it must be to live these days as if my heart were also in a dark place.
Peter lived through the same dark time, experienced the amazing love of Jesus Christ. And years later he declared: “You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God. That you might declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness, into his wonderful light.” I Peter 2:9-10.
Yes, we are in a difficult time, but we serve an amazing God. And he will bring light and life into this world.
God Bless. I am praying for you.
