Darkness

Just imagine if you were there. Everything seemed bright. But then an eerie darkness descended over the land. This was no ordinary event. People everywhere must have wondered what had happened. But witnesses in Jerusalem knew that this coincided with the time Jesus hung on the cross.

For Believers, this moment had special meaning. But even non-Believers were impacted. In fact, the imagery of these dark hours became the inspiration for one of the twentieth century’s most acclaimed books, Darkness at Noon, written by Arthur Koestler (who was born on this day in 1905).

In his youth, he became convinced that “communism was the only possible solution” and that it was a “road to Utopia.” But gradually he became disillusioned. His turning (and his criticism of totalitarian government) became the theme of Darkness, focusing on the purge trials conducted in the Soviet Union during the 1930s.

Staring into a dark and uncertain future, Koestler wrote extensively about the lack of hope in the world. Man’s attempts at solving problems seemed futile. And eventually he committed suicide.

But for Believers those moments of darkness symbolize the agony that Jesus endured. His death and the separation He experienced from the Father. Yet that darkness contrasts with the bright brilliance of resurrection.

Thanks to Jesus’ death and resurrection, Believers don’t need to dwell in darkness. For Jesus is “the Light of the world.” And He promised that all who follow Him “will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life” (John 8:12).

No matter what you face, don’t be dominated by worry or fear, or dwell in darkness. Celebrate the victory that you have through Jesus. Commit every need to Him, and declare His Promises to be true. Praise and thank Him. And trust Him, in every situation.