It was now about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour, while the sun’s light failed. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. Then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!” And having said this he breathed his last. Now when the centurion saw what had taken place, he praised God, saying, “Certainly this man was innocent!” And all the crowds that had assembled for this spectacle, when they saw what had taken place, returned home beating their breasts. And all his acquaintances and the women who had followed him from Galilee stood at a distance watching these things. Luke 23:44-49
Darkness
So darkness is falling all over the land and we have a mix of people at the crucifixion. It would have included a mix of Romans (soldiers), Jewish religious leaders, and ordinary Jewish people, as well as some of Jesus’ followers. Their reactions to the darkness would likely have varied:
The Romans: As practical people, they might have initially thought of a solar eclipse, but its timing (at Passover) would have made that impossible. They would probably have been uneasy, perhaps even fearful, at such an unnatural event.
The Jewish religious leaders: They were orchestrating Jesus’ execution, and the darkness could have been interpreted as a sign of divine displeasure or judgement. This might have caused some to feel a flicker of doubt or unease, though likely not enough to change their minds.
The ordinary Jewish people: Many would have been familiar with the Old Testament prophecies, where darkness was sometimes associated with divine intervention or judgement (e.g., the plague of darkness in Egypt). They might have seen this as a sign that something momentous was happening, perhaps a manifestation of God’s power.
Jesus’ followers: They would have been deeply distressed by the crucifixion, and the darkness would have added to their sense of grief and despair, perhaps also a feeling that this was a cosmic event.
In general, the sudden and prolonged darkness would have created a sense of unease, fear, and foreboding. It was a disruption of the natural order, and people tend to find that very unsettling. So was it a normal or supernatural event?
Luke describes the darkness as falling over “the whole land,” which suggests more than a localised phenomenon. While some have tried to explain it as a natural event (like a dust storm), the timing and extent make a natural explanation difficult. The synoptic gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke) present it as a supernatural event, a sign of divine significance.
The passage focuses on the effect of the darkness rather than Jesus’ direct actions. However, the darkness is inextricably linked to Jesus’ crucifixion. In the context of the Gospel narrative, it’s understood to be:
- A sign of God’s power and sorrow at the death of his Son.
- A symbolic representation of the spiritual darkness of that moment, the culmination of human rejection of God.
- A foreshadowing of the new creation and the dawning of a new age, which would come through Jesus’ death and resurrection.
The darkness isn’t something Jesus does, but it’s a sign accompanying what Jesus is doing: completing his atoning work on the cross.
The Temple Curtain Tore
The curtain (or veil) in the Temple separated the Holy of Holies, the most sacred space where God’s presence was believed to dwell, from the rest of the Temple. Only the high priest could enter, and only once a year. Its tearing in two symbolised the end of separation. God was no longer confined to a physical space or accessible only through an elite priesthood. The way to God was now open to everyone, regardless of status. It was God making a new covenant. The old system of sacrifice and ritual was being replaced by something new – a direct relationship with God through Jesus. Ordinary, every day people would have direct access to God. How exciting is that? God is there for the people and he demonstrated this day in Jesus’ death.
The centurion, a Roman soldier, saying “Certainly this man was innocent” is also significant. A Gentile, someone outside of Jewish tradition, recognises Jesus’ innocence and perhaps something more. This hints that Jesus’ message and salvation are for all people, not just the Jewish nation. The Centurion was a man of authority and would have seen many men die. His statement carries weight.
For ordinary people then, and for us today, these events means so much more and it is why I have called it the most important death in history. We don’t need a priest to go to God for you. You can pray directly to him; you can read the Bible and understand his word. This is revolutionary! Even in the darkest of times (like the crucifixion), God is at work. There is hope for the future, even when things look bleak. God’s love isn’t just for a select few. It’s for everyone, whatever their background. God brings hope and inclusion.
In Cornwall, as elsewhere, this message transforms lives. For those in poverty it means that God sees them, cares for them, and offers them dignity, not because of their wealth but because they are his children. In their every day lives it brings hope, purpose, and the promise of a better future, beyond the struggles of daily life. These events in Luke’s Gospel aren’t just historical; they speak to the fundamental human condition and God’s desire to be in a relationship with everyone.
Jesus’ Final Words
Jesus cries out, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit,” and then breathes his last. This demonstrates Jesus’ complete trust in God, even in his final moments. Jesus’ final words helps us understand the whole point of his death.
In John’s Gospel (John 19 v 30), Jesus says “it is finished.” He’s not saying “I’m done with the pain.” What he means is that the job he came to do, the plan God had from the very beginning, is now complete. Jesus’ death pays the price for all the wrong things people have ever done. It’s like a debt that’s been completely paid off, so we don’t have to carry that burden any more. When I do something wrong I don’t just walk away from it, there are repercussions. I can try to hide it and I might get away with that but I can’t hide it from God, although I do try! God sees it all and at the moment I am in trouble. You see someone has to pay the price and without Jesus that price would be paid by me. That is what Jesus means, It is finished. I have paid the price.
Through his death, Jesus defeats the power of death itself. This means that death is not the end but the beginning of new life with God. The torn curtain in the temple, as we discussed, symbolises that the way to God is now open to everyone. Jesus’ death tears down the barrier that separated us from God.
“Father, into your hands I commit my spirit”
This shows Jesus’ complete trust in God, even in his darkest moment. It’s like a child going to their loving parent. This is important for people because Jesus shows us that even when we’re scared or in pain, we can trust God to take care of us. He gives us confidence, because Jesus trusted God, we can also trust God with our lives, both now and when we die. Jesus is God, but he also became human. When he says this, he’s showing us what it looks like for a human being to trust God completely. He’s leading by example.
Why does it matter in everyday life?
For ordinary people, like you and me in Cornwall, this means that we don’t have to live in fear. We can face each day, even with its challenges, knowing that God is with us and will never leave us. We have a purpose and our lives have meaning because we are part of God’s plan, and we can live to please him. We have hope for the future, even when things are tough, we know that God has a good plan for us, and that death is not the end.
In simple terms, Jesus’ death and his final words give us a reason to live without fear and with hope, knowing that God loves us and has made a way for us to be with him forever.
A Haiku to end
Darkness falls at noon,
Temple’s veil is torn in two,
Love’s great work is done
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