Daily Devotional Luke 23:44 – What does crucifixion darkness mean? – Online Bible Study – Commentary in easy English – Day 413

I don’t usually back up, but in researching what should have been today’s verse, “Father into your hands I commit my Spirit.” I found an article of significance on a deeper meaning of the darkness experienced at the cross. I thank Dr. J. Ligon Duncan III for that, and I feel God wants me to share it. https://ligonduncan.com/father-into-your-hands-i-commit-my-spirit-484/

It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon, for the sun stopped shining. (Luke 23:44)

Today, the sun is blocked by clouds and fog and the trees are wrapped in mist. It’s cold and damp. It also describes my mood because a member of my family isn’t well, perhaps due to a life-threatening illness. I won’t know for two weeks. Good Friday was also enveloped in gloom. Darkness came over the whole land, starting at noon. Yes, it was a dark day when the Roman soldiers, Pontius Pilate, and the Jewish leaders nailed Jesus to the cross, but there is a deeper meaning to the darkness. It symbolizes God’s judgment of sin.

In Exodus Chapter 10, God judges the sin of the Egyptians taking the Israelites as slaves and judges them with a Plague of Darkness. And in Amos, Chapter 8, Amos prophesies God judging the sin of the Israelites with darkness and the death of His only Son: The Lord said to Amos, “The time is ripe for my people Israel; I will spare them no longer. … (He lists many of their sins.) I will never forget anything they have done. … Will not the land tremble (other Gospels mention an earthquake on Good Friday) for this, and all who live in it mourn? … In that day I will make the sun go down at noon and darken the earth in broad daylight. I will turn your religious festivals (Passover) into mourning … I will make that time like mourning for an only son.” (Taken from Amos 8:2-10, parentheses mine)

On Good Friday, that day of judgment came. Again, God judged sin with darkness, but the darkness didn’t descend on God’s people, you and me included, it dropped on Jesus. He bore the horridness of sin for us. From Adam’s sin until Jesus’ death, humans were separated from God. Only prophets and the High Priest had access to God. On Good Friday, Jesus becomes the perfect High Priest, opening direct access to God for all who trust Him.

Because of Jesus, I sit beneath the cross, directly thanking God for taking fear, illness, liars and sadness from my family, trusting Him to do it. Good Friday is proof that God loves and favors us. I can smile as I see His light breaking through the gloom. 

Dearest Heavenly Father, I praise You for Your grace and thank you for letting Your only Son provide the way to You by suffering for me. Thank you for your favor by taking fear, disease, and sadness from my family. In the name of Jesus protect my loved ones from the enemy and darkness. Give me the power of your Holy Spirit to be strong when I’m weak and turn my sadness into joy. In Christ’s name I pray, amen.

Daily Devotional Luke 23:44 – What does crucifixion darkness mean? – Online Bible Study – Commentary in easy English – Day 413

3 thoughts on “Daily Devotional Luke 23:44 – What does crucifixion darkness mean? – Online Bible Study – Commentary in easy English – Day 413

  1. As I am reading your thoughts today the sun is blocked by thick fog, it is cold and damp here. I feel like I am experiencing the same surroundings that Jesus experienced while he was suffering on the cross for us. I have been in deep prayer this morning. I am fearful but this morning I also feel calm and I give God all the glory for that. I am also praying for someone else in my family that is deeply hurt through no fault of her own. I am praying for her strength, as I am praying for my own strength. I trust God and Jesus to get us through a painful and fearful time in our lives, when our paths are not quite clear because of the fog. I am praying for healing, for her and for me.

    Jody, thank you for the beautiful devotion and prayer today. It was inspiring and so meaningful. It was if God gave you the exact words to write. No where in the Bible does it say that I need to be worried, stressed or fearful. It tells me to trust God.

    1. Thank you. Every morning I pray for God to help me write what my readers need to here, and I’m glad He answered that prayer for you. It helps to pray for and help others. When you do that God helps you, too. Jesus teaches us to trust God, so I’m glad you’re doing that. I love you Sis, and as always, you are in my prayers.

      1. I’m glad you enjoyed my post. God judges sin with darkness, but the darkness fell on Jesus on Good Friday. Isn’t it wonderful that you and I don’t have to experience darkness that arises from sin. Thank you for your encouragement and coming to my website. I prayed for you and your family today, and I hope you know how wide and long and high and deep God’s love is for you. Blessings, Jody

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Scroll to top

Subscribe to my Devotionals

If you would like regular updates of our daily devotional Bible study sent to your email, please subscribe here.
Loading