“Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour.”
Matthew 27:45
A total solar eclipse passed over North America on April 8, 2024. The last time this happened was August 21, 2017. During these rare celestial events, people ditch work, drive across the county, set up camp in odd places, and wear weird eye protection to be able to experience darkness in the middle of the day.
Seven years ago, during the last total solar eclipse, I remember talking to countless people who described the event as “surprisingly spiritual.”
When Jesus was nailed to a cross, after three hours of hanging in the sky, there was darkness. From noon to 3 pm (when the sun is supposed to shine the brightest) the sky went dark. This very well could have been a total solar eclipse with Jerusalem being in the path of totality.
It also could have been God’s hand of mercy covering the sun, providing shade for his suffering Son.
On that dark day, the sinless Savior, the Light of the World took the punishment for all the sin of humanity which explains a bit more about the darkness.
As a result of that day Jesus died and there was darkness, now we can all experience light and life as Jesus lives.
- Read Matthew 27:45-66
- If you watched the eclipse on Monday, how did it feel?
- Where is there darkness in your life? How has Jesus brought light into your darkness?
By Tim Herset | Kalispell, MT