August 23 When Darkness Reigns

Luke 22:52-53 Then Jesus said to the chief priests, the officers of the temple guard, and the elders, who had come for him, “Am I leading a rebellion, that you have come with swords and clubs? 53 Every day I was with you in the temple courts, and you did not lay a hand on me. But this is your hour –  when darkness reigns.”
 
ONE overwhelming image throughout Jesus’ arrest, trial and crucifixion is darkness. Darkness is often given as a representation of evil. Sin seems to perpetuate in the darkness. We lock our doors at night. We keep the light on to turn away those who intend to rob or harm us. Usually we are shocked when a crime occurs in broad daylight.
    Darkness covers sinful hearts as they arrest Jesus. The temple authorities had dared not arrest Jesus in day’s revealing light. Be reminded of Luke 20:19 “The teachers of the law and the chief priests looked for a way to arrest him immediately, because they knew he had spoken this parable against them. But they were afraid of the people.” They would not have had such fear of the people if they had a right cause to silence the Lord. But darkness never has a just reason to silence the Light. So they moved in the night.
    Think, too, how Jesus viewed the guards’ swords and clubs. How useless they were against the humble servant prepared to surrender his human life to the Father’s will. Consider how powerless such weapons are against God’s all-consuming power. Dark forces demonstrate their weapons to strike fear in our hearts. That is why we must rise in faith as we always remember God’s eternal power. Trust his promise of your eternal life. Be strengthened against sin’s darkness when you live into Jesus’ light:
    1 Corinthians 15:55-58 “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” 56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 58 Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. 
    Jesus shows us throughout the horrible suffering of his arrest and death that death truly has no victory for those who are in Christ.
    Is there any way you submit to darkness? Do you hide something in your soul that allows evil some victory over your life? Turn, then, to the light of salvation. Confess your sins to the conquering Savior. Live now and forever into his freedom-giving light.
 
Prayer: Thank you, Jesus, for conquering the darkness of my soul. I pray for faith to step surely into the light to be more completely with you. Amen.