Chapter 2
In this chapter, we'll concentrate on Jesus’s crucifixion, the New Testament, especially Matthew where the focus is on the darkness that overshadowed the world when Jesus hung on the cross. It considers how our perspectives were misconstrued at that time in history. The spirit and mind that is imprisoned in mankind became free through Christ when he relinquished his mind and soul to God. At that moment misperceptions are made clear and perspectives begin to shift. Cleared misperceptions and shifts in perspectives is the essence of Christ's body. However Christ loves the Father so he surrenders his mind before surrounding his soul. Complete obedience does not require understanding; If you love the Father, you surrender the mind and it's capacity to understand placing obedience over it all.
The Cross and Moment of Darkness
In Christianity, the crucifixion of Jesus is known to be the most darkest event, but it is also one of the most tragic events of time. It was a time when all hopes were seemingly lost. The people who had witness the inflicted scorn and brutality on the Son of God, and had witnessed his last moments with indescribable disregard and contempt, were themselves enveloped in thick darkness. Matthew's gospel describes it this way, “Indeed, from the sixth hour until the ninth hour, darkness covered the entire land. And at approximately the ninth hour, Jesus yelled out ‘Eli Eli Lema sabachtani’” (Matthew 27:45-46).
In those hours the entire world was covered in darkness, the misunderstandings in life. The Light of the World, Jesus, was already by this time nailed on the cross, yet, the land was in a shadow state of darkness. This particular moment was not only a prophetic moment fulfilled, but also a reminder of what transpires where understanding supersedes obedience.
In this chapter we'll see the relevance of this darkness in our lives today. It is more than just a period of time that elapsed; it is a time that help address the issues today that alienate us from God and restore the truth residing in us. However in the darkest of times, God is at work, removing the veil that keeps us from having an extraordinary capacity to see and understanding.
The Misperception in Darkness
Over the period of Jesus' ministry, different people had different views about who Jesus Christ is to them. Some began to think that he would be a political leader who could liberate them from Roman oppression as there was a lot of political upheaval in that area. Still, others regarded him not as the Messiah but merely as a teacher or a prophet. Even his very own disciples were perplexed about the purpose of his coming in the world. Judas considered him an innocent victim of strife between religion and politics and there were people who mocked him by labeling him "King of the Jews." These misconceptions characterize the darkness which overshadowed the land at the time of his crucifixion. This darkness caused by disobedience to God is not able to recognize Jesus, the path to understanding. Our vision is darkened when we don't see beyond our own prejudices.
When Jesus exclaimed, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” it was an expression of sorrow, because it evoked the feeling of abandonment by God, and all has gone dark. In this moment Jesus truly understood what it means to be blind, something he had never experienced. It was not because God had left him, Jesus could no longer see God. He took upon himself the entire curse of disobedience. Blindness.
Tearing the Veil
As God has plans for each and everyone of us, so too, a purpose within this entire ordeal. We see traces of this in the Gospels. For instance, once Jesus has taken his last breath, the gospels go on to state: "the veil was torn in two from top to bottom" – Mark 15:38. A strange event, but let us try to understand now. In the scripture, a (veil) separates mankind from God; however it was God who planned the crucifixion of Christ, God appointed Jesus, the Son of God to bring light into a world that was in complete darkness and his crucifixion restores the light and saves mankind from death. The separation of darkness like on day 1 where God separated the darkness (night) from the light (day) marking a new beginning where misconceptions are cleared and our perception of God, ourselves and one another are no longer obscured. Providing a guiding light on the path to freedom.
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It is essential to understand the significance of the (veil) separating the holy from the Holy of holies. Within the temple, there was a place called the Holy of holies, which contained the Ark of the Covenant and was separated from the rest of the temple by a thick veil measuring 3.5 meters in height and 18 centimeters wide. It was the most sacred space amongst the temple meaning it had to be carefully shielded. As recorded, only one person – the high priest of Israel – was permitted to enter the Holy of holies and even that, only on one day a year – the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur), when the high priest would offer blood sacrifices to atone for the people and seal the covenant with God. ​The tearing of the veil was probably the most revolutionary thing to happen in the history of mankind – God was pleased to reconcile the world fully (Nouwen 122).
When Jesus cried out, saying "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" (Matthew 27:51-52). The veil was torn into two, from the top to the very bottom, at that time, there was an earthquake, the rocks split apart, the tombs broke open. In that situation, God was demonstrating to all that the darkness caused by the veil had indeed been broken. What many view as a day of suffering was actually a barrier between us and God removed.
Moving from Darkness to Light
The veil was only meant to protect God from hardened hearts. We are free when we let go. The crucifixion touches us in a powerful way as it signifies that God is still working even in our darkest moments. Just as the sky was beaten with darkness, so was everyone's heart but this was by no means the end. Christ made it through alive and it was thereafter he becomes the very meaning of hope, opportunity and so much more.
Reflect on the moments of darkness in your own lives. Are there areas where you feel abandoned, where you feel as though God has forsaken you? Are there parts of your heart that are still shrouded in darkness, unable to fully see God’s plan? Just as Jesus entrusted himself in God’s hands, we too are called to surrender to Christ. The crucifixion teaches us that in surrender, there is victory. Allow God to work in ways beyond your understanding.
Darkness is not the final day. Darkness is a new dawn; a darkness that eases the transition to the next step — from darkness to life. The temple veil was torn and when we trust in God’s plan and give ourselves to Christ, so can the veils that blind us.