“And it was about the sixth hour, and there was a darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour. And the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was rent in the midst.” Luke 23:44-45.

Today Christians all over the world are worshipping and giving God thanks for the day that our Lord was crucified. Let us exam the scene at the cross for a moment…many in the crowd jeered and mocked our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ as He hung on Calvary’s cross that Friday afternoon. “And it was about the sixth hour, and there was a darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour. And the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was rent in the midst.” Luke 23:44-45.

A theologian wrote: “The darkest hour is just before dawn.” A cataclysmic occurrence happened all over the earth for the span of three hours … I can imagine the fear that gripped the minds and hearts of the by standers… something was happening that defied all reason… listen to the account of the centurion; “And when the centurion, which stood over against him, saw that he so cried out, and gave up the ghost, he said, Truly this man was the Son of God.” Mark 15:39.

Yes, there was extreme darkness as God poured His wrath for sin out on our Savior… but don’t you know that light always dispels darkness? The Light was shining on the cross- Jesus is the light of the world and all those who come to Him will never live in darkness! “Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” John 8:12. He came so that we may live!

My friends God’s unconditional love and miraculous power was on display…His only begotten Son became the propitiation for the sins of the whole world on that old rugged cross. The Bible states: “Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.” 1 John 4:10.

I am not sure about you this morning…but in my heart, every day is a remembrance of that “Good Friday” when Jesus took my sins away… and I am so glad about it- that my Lord and my Savior, cleared the way from earth to Heaven for not only me, but all those who will believe in His redemptive work on the cross- He is the way, the truth and the life! “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16.

Go out and tell somebody the Good News-yes, surely, He died on Calvary…but He got up early on the third day- and He is the Bright and the Morning Star! Hallelujah!

Let us praise God for the death, burial, and resurrection of His only begotten son, the Savior of the world, Jesus Christ!

.