The Darkest Day

1. God shows us He is in control over the universe

1. God shows us He is in control over the universe

What happened?

Luke 23:44 KJV 1900

And it was about the sixth hour, and there was a darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour.

tells us that for 3 hours there was darkness

From noon to 3 in the afternoon God hid the sun

Literally no light

When the Bible tells us “he became sin, who knew no sin”, this was the time.

This was not an eclipse

This was not dusk, this was total darkness

The earth shook like never before; mountains were split and graves were opened.

So what does that mean to me?

He is still in control today

He still wants to be a part of your life

He has the power to change circumstances

He has the ability to take control of your life if you will let him

2. God shows us He is able to remove barriers

The veil was torn!

What Happened?

Luke 23:45b NKJV

Then the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was torn in two.

Luke 23:43b NKJV

And Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.”

The veil was torn! 60 feet high 3-4 inches thick torn from top to bottom!

The veil represented the barrier that separated man from God.

No one had access to it except the high priest once a year on the day of atonement

They would only be allowed access to it with the sacrificial blood of bulls and goats and would sprinkle the blood on and in front of the mercy seat 7 times.

This was a picture only or symbolic that only atoning blood that was shed for someone else would satisfy God and yet year after year, century after century the veil remained because this wasn’t enough.

However on this day, the blood of Jesus was enough to satisfy once for all the debt that was to be paid so God tore the veil.

Giving to everyone who believes in the son access to Him.

Hebrews 4:16 KJV 1900

Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

So What does that mean for me?

This means you no longer need a priest to go to God on your behalf

When Christ died and the veil was torn you can now go boldly to the throne of grace!

God has removed the barrier that separated you and him

Christ’s sacrifice built the bridge that crossed the chasm to God

The sin barrier can now be overcome, all you have to do is believe and ask God to forgive you and your whole life will be changed.

Better than that, your whole eternity will be changed!

Transition: So God has shown us how he has the ability to control the universe and in so doing can handle anything in your life, he has shown how he can remove barriers in your life, now lets look at the people who were there that day.

3. God shows us he has the ability to change hearts

What Happened?

Luke 23:47 KJV 1900

Now when the centurion saw what was done, he glorified God, saying, Certainly this was a righteous man.

Look at the Centurion guard- mocked him, casting lots for his clothes, could have been present at the beating and crowning and even the arrest. He was a heathen and unbeliever by the utmost definition

He was a Roman- they had multiple gods

For him to glorify God and to recognize him as the son of God, was a miracle that only God can perform. That’s the changing power that our God possesses!

But it just wasn’t him, it was the people present:

Luke 23:48 KJV 1900

And all the people that came together to that sight, beholding the things which were done, smote their breasts, and returned.

Luke 23:44 NKJV

Now it was about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour.

The people that were there, when they witnessed God show up they realized what they had just done!

They beat their chests- this was a sign of remorse and mourning

They were truly distressed about what they had just witnessed

Their lives were changed and they too realized who this man was that just gave his life on the cross that day.

So what’s that mean for me?

By showing us that day that God can change the hearts of the centurion and the people there, he can also change the hearts of the people who read and hear his word

No matter how bad you think you have been, no matter what past you may have, no matter what sin you have committed, God can change your heart.

All you have to do is believe in your heart that Christ gave his life for yours, and that he lives today.

Conclusion: Why did he die? tells us plainly. He did it because he loves you. You have heard of the way God showed up that day to show who he was and how much he wants that relationship with you. There’s nothing you have done that is to bad to be forgiven for, there is always forgiveness when you come to the foot of the cross; all you have to do is recognize who he is.