Jesus … light which disperses darkness
The address for Good Friday is based on a small portion of Mark’s passion account which we have just heard read.
Let us pray. Thank you, Lord Jesus Christ, for dying on the cross for our salvation. Help us always to trust in your atoning death. AMEN
Today in our passion reading we hear about darkness, which came upon the whole land during the middle of the day. So what do you usually associate darkness with apart from night-time? Not being able to see anything? Absence of light? Maybe you associate it blackness or a dark colour. Maybe evil, terrible events, a sign of the end times. Maybe darkness represented pain, doom, judgement day, dying. Usually we associate darkness with the absolute worst things in life, the things which scare or upset us the most. It was a dark day… one of the darkest days ever, there was this eerie feeling which descended upon me, I had this horrible feeling in my stomach. I couldn’t bring myself to look or think about it.
Friends, are these descriptions relatable to our text today? Are these the things which you think about when darkness came upon the whole land during the middle of the day?
So, what does this darkness represent, what does it tell us about this section of the passion account? The innocent death of Jesus on a cross is a dark moment in history, the darkest point in human history, absolute rock bottom for humankind. The sins of the world are put onto an innocent man. Much physical and emotional suffering is endured through mocking, spitting, torturing and jeering, before Jesus is finally crucified on a cross.
This is the consequences of sin…… and the darkness of it is on full show – death of a cross. In the Old Testament consequences of sin resulted in burnt offerings, burnt sacrifices being presented over and over again to please God, to gain access to his holiness, holiness which sin had separated us from. The broken relationship between God and his people was on full display. And these sacrifices were offered, waiting for the fulfilment to occur, when these sacrifices would no longer be required to have fellowship with God. That ultimate sacrifice is made and described in Hebrews 10.
‘We have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all’ (Hebrews 10:10)
Friends, before the atoning sacrifice of Jesus, there was darkness, great spiritual darkness, oppression, affliction, pain, all terrible things caused by human sin. Human sin is the cause of darkness and pain, the barrier we have put up between God and us. We hear this pain and anguish from Jesus. When he takes the burden on sin upon his shoulders ‘Jesus cried out in a loud voice: “My God My God why have you forsaken me”?’ (Mark 15:34b)
Jesus experiences for the first time in his life the darkness of human sin. He had felt every other human emotion. In Luke’s gospel he felt happiness and joy after the disciples had gone and shared the good news faithfully, In Matthew he experienced anger at people. ‘You snakes! You Brood of Vipers!’ Regularly Jesus showed empathy and compassion to people of society- who others disregard Jesus even felt the emotions of grief and sadness when his friend Lazarus died. But Jesus had never felt the human emotion of separation from his father. Never felt the consequences on sin, until he was crucified. And now the consequences of the man-made barrier of sin was being felt by Jesus. ‘My God My God why have you forsaken me?
Do you feel this separation? The separation from God because of your sin? The barrier you have put up between yourself and God? Maybe you feel the separation when you do not speak well of your neighbour- when you betray or insult them behind their backs. Maybe you feel the separation when you misuse God’s name when cursing or swearing. Maybe it’s the separation felt when being dishonest. All sins create separation, create a place of spiritual darkness in our lives. But Jesus takes upon his own shoulders this separation, this darkness. The moment he died on that cross it is a turning point for humanity.
‘The curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.’ (Mark 15:38)
The moment Jesus breathed his last and the temple curtain was torn, offering sacrifices to be in God’s presence was no longer required. The tearing of the curtain shows that fellowship with God is no longer limited, having a relationship with God is available for all people. The darkness of sin is gone! Gone because God has removed the human made barrier of sin through the sacrificial death of his Son, in whom God’s presence, grace and love is available for all. The moment the curtain tore in the temple, God let the light of his salvation flood into the world.
Our loving God shows us through his actions that he wants us all to be his people. God is present for us always- not limiting his presence to certain times or certain places like the Old Testament sacrificial system. In the person of Jesus, God is present right now. Because of that day when Jesus took the punishment for our sins, the moment he died, we can be sure that: God’s fellowship is dwelling amongst us, and God will continue to be present for the future – continuing to forgive us, always showing his mercy, constantly displaying his unconditional love for his children.
And his death sparks an astonishing, absolutely amazing confession from someone present that day and someone that you would least expect.
‘And when the centurion, who stood there in front of Jesus, saw how he died, he said, “Surely this man was the Son of God?” (Mark 15:39)
A centurion of all people sees the light. A Gentile, non-Jew, battle-hardened soldier who likely fought in many a battle, who had probably seen many people die, someone whose social standings had so little in common with Jesus, sees the victory. Sees the light. Sees that Jesus’ death on the cross brings light into the world to disperse the darkness. God has not forsaken us….with the centurion recognising that the moment the curtain tore, darkness went away and the light of salvation began to shine throughout the whole world. The salvation, the forgiveness, the pardoning of sins which Jesus completed through his innocent crucifixion- is not limited to the centurion. It is for us as well, the light of Jesus which dispels the darkness through the taking upon himself our sins is for you…. and me as well!
The barrier of sin is removed by the grace of our loving father. We participate and receive this grace every time we go to the Lord’s table trusting in what Jesus promises to give. Every time you receive the body and blood of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ in faith, you receive the fullness of forgiveness, and everything that the forgiveness of sins means. The darkness of sin is removed, and the light of grace is poured into your heart.
Brothers and Sisters, without Jesus’ atoning sacrifice, we are only worthy of death and eternal condemnation. But go in the hope and light of Jesus who has conquered the darkness and separation of sin. His death shines on us the light of life, hope, forgiveness and eternal salvation. Go and live in this new light, the new open relationship with God our Father. AMEN
May the peace of God that passes all understanding, guard our hearts and minds in the light of Christ Jesus who disperses the darkness of sin. AMEN
