“When it was noon, darkness came over the whole land…” A dramatic detail worthy of the start of any good story, script, or screenplay. And it could serve as the beginning of a news account that will chronicle the events of the coming solar eclipse, set to happen in a little over a week.
As we anticipate the upcoming solar eclipse on April 8, we are reminded of a momentous event that occurred over two thousand years ago, an event that also involved darkness enveloping the land. Mark’s gospel recounts the chilling scene as Jesus hung on the cross, bearing the weight of humanity’s sins. In the midst of this agony, darkness covered the land for three hours, mirroring the cosmic spectacle we are about to witness.
During a solar eclipse, the sun, the source of light, is momentarily obscured. Similarly, on that fateful day, the Son of God experienced a profound darkness, as if the light of hope was momentarily extinguished. Yet, in that darkness, a profound truth was revealed—the sacrificial love of Jesus. It was in that moment of apparent defeat that Jesus conquered sin and death, offering salvation to all who believe.
Just as the sun emerges from behind the shadow of the moon during an eclipse, so too did the light of Christ triumph over the darkness of all that the world had conspired to create. The centurion who witnessed this supernatural event declared, “Truly this man was the Son of God.”
On this Good Friday, let’s reflect on the ultimate eclipse—the darkness that shrouded the cross and the radiant light that emerged from it. May it serve as a reminder that even in our darkest moments, the light of Christ shines brightest, offering hope, redemption, and eternal life to all. Let’s fix our eyes on Jesus, the light of the world, and find solace in this unstoppable love.
May God’s peace find you today. -Pastor Peter
Let us pray… Lord, on this Good Friday, in the darkness and as this world continues to turn, help us find the light of Jesus. Amen.