MARK 15:33-34: “At noon, darkness fell across the whole land until three o’clock. Then at three o’clock Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” which means “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?” NLT

OBSERVATION: What do I do when all hope seems to be lost? Where do I turn when all the doors seem to be closed? How do I respond to times when all seems dark?

I remember as a small boy, one of our annual trips from California to Michigan, to visit my grandmother. Each year, we would race to get to Michigan, but on the way back, we would take different routes to see the wonders of America.

I will never forget the time I was introduced to total darkness. I do not recall the caverns that we visited, but it was one of the famous ones. When we were in the depths of the cavern, we were all told to stand perfectly still. At that moment, all the lights were extinguished, and I experienced, for the first time in my life…

TOTAL DARKNESS!

The total darkness I experienced made an impression on my young mind. Yet, the lights were soon back on, and we walked back into the daylight once again. All the times of darkness we face in this life are temporary. We may be in the valley of darkness at the moment, but there is light at the end of the tunnel!

The darkness Jesus faced was much different. Although there was physical darkness that covered the land during the last three hours of His crucifixion, it was not this darkness that Jesus cried out in agony about. It was the total darkness of separation from the Father as He took upon Himself the sins of the world, and His eternal fellowship with the Father was broken for that moment in time.

This was not like the darkness I experienced in the caverns, which was remedied with the flick of a light switch. This was the complete darkness of separation. Sin separates us from God, and Jesus became the totality of our sin for us, past, present, and future!

II Corinthians 5:21: “For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” NKJV

Think of the wonder of this event. Jesus experienced total darkness, complete separation from God, bearing our sins for us, past, present, and future, so that we would never have to experience total darkness ourselves! He became sin so that we could become the righteousness of God in Him!

“My God, My God, why have you abandoned Me,” were not Jesus last words. Jesus last words were…

John 19:30: “So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, ‘It is finished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.” NKJV

This was not a cry of defeat. This was a cry of VICTORY! Jesus had fully paid the penalty of sin for us. He experienced complete separation from God as He gave His own blood for our sins. And God accepted His sacrifice as payment in full. What happened next was wonderful!

1 Peter 3:18-19: “Christ suffered for our sins once for all time. He never sinned, but he died for sinners to bring you safely home to God. He suffered physical death, but he was raised to life in the Spirit. So he went and preached to the spirits in prison…” NLT

Ephesians 4:8-10: “…When he ascended to the heights, he led a crowd of captives and gave gifts to his people.” Notice that it says “he ascended.” This clearly means that Christ also descended to our lowly world. And the same one who descended is the one who ascended higher than all the heavens, so that he might fill the entire universe with himself.” NLT

When Jesus experienced total darkness for us, He purchased total light for all who will believe. When He said, “It is finished!”, it was not the cry of defeat, but the cry of VICTORY. Jesus went to Hell for us, but not as one conquered by death. Jesus went to Hell as the conquering hero who led those waiting in Abraham’s bosom into Paradise with Him! Jesus reclaimed the keys to death and hell and arose on the Third Day – in complete victory!

Why is this so important? All the darkness we face in this life is temporary. Yet, the only darkness that can completely overcome us is the darkness of death. Without Jesus Christ, death is the final darkness of complete separation from God and anything good. Yet, Jesus stands before us as the Light of the World. When we place our faith in Him, we live this life with ultimate confidence. We, with the Apostle Paul, proclaim…

1 Corinthians 15:55-57: “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” For sin is the sting that results in death, and the law gives sin its power. But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ.” NLT

And, we face each period of temporary darkness in our lives with the confidence that the light of Jesus Christ will break through and lead us into victory!

Psalms 23:4-6: “Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me. You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. You honor me by anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings. Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord forever.” NLT

What a powerful promise! What blessed assurance! The darkness I may be experiencing at the moment will be transformed in the light of His faithfulness. He is always close beside me. He is always leading, guiding, and protecting. Jesus has been to Hell and back for you and me, and there is nothing that can separate us from His love!

Heavenly Father, in my moment of darkness, open my spiritual eyes to see Your marvelous light! Open my eyes to see Jesus and to hear His words of victory – “IT IS FINISHED!

In Jesus’ Name!