“Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour” (Matthew 27:45)
Jesus’ crucifixion was the darkest hour of history. Literally, as at midday there were three hours of darkness over all the land. And also figuratively, as Satan seemed to triumph and the Son of God seemed to lose the battle against sin and evil.
Spiritual darkness came over the earth when the first humans were disobedient to God, and preferred to believe Satan’s lies. From then on, people have lived in darkness. But Jesus has come to save them: “For those who sat in the region and shadow of death, light has dawned” (Matthew 4:16). In John 12:46, Jesus says: “I have come as light into the world, so that everyone who believes in me should not remain in the darkness”.
Jesus’ crucifixion was the ultimate battle between Satan and Jesus. It seemed like darkness would win. But Jesus’ resurrection proves that He has finally triumphed. By Jesus’ death, God “has rescued us from the power of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of his beloved Son” (Colossians 1:13).
Do you live in the light?