The Sky Went Dark

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 ESV).

Monasterboice, better known as Buite's monastery, in Ireland is undoubtedly the best known early monastic site. Though it has an interesting series of early remains including two medieval churches, a round tower, a sundial and some cross slabs, its popular appeal is based mainly on its three high crosses. These date from the late 8th or 9th centuries. Among these crosses, pre-eminence of place must go to the so-called South Cross. Standing almost twenty feet tall, this is the largest of the series, the shaft and arms of which are carved from a single block of sandstone. It is known more widely as Muiredach's Cross, after an inscription on its base that mentions a person of that name. Art historians have equated him with the Muiredach Mac Domhnaill, abbot of the monastery. All of the intricately carved scenes are a marvelous work of art. When we see such works we tend to forget the horror of the actual event. Perhaps the most terrible part of that experience took place when the sun was blotted out and darkness fell on the land. It was as if the sun was ashamed to look down on such a terrible scene. The earth shook, as if creation itself was writhing in pain. Rocks were split in two. Graves sprang open and corpses came tumbling out. After this Luke reminds us that the women went home and rested, as was their Sabbath custom. It somehow seems disrespectful or dishonorable. Some events are so huge, so life-altering, that to maintain your same old routine is an insult. Jesus’ death is an event of monumental sorrow and towering significance. However, the women did what they always did; they go home and rest. We would do well to ask why? Was it habit, or legalism; perhaps they did it because they had to. The ground was shaking beneath their feet, figuratively and literally. They needed a place that wasn’t quaking, a place where they could stand and catch their breath and make sense of what had happened. Sometimes, when your world has been turned upside down, you need to find a place that hasn’t changed; you need some little bit of normalcy, some common custom. The earth shook. The sky went dark. All creation writhed. And women went home and rested. Of course they did. This is a part of what Jesus purchased for us in the cross. He died that we might have a place of rest. No normalcy could ever be hoped for without the death of Jesus. Has he not taken our sin and condemnation on himself, we would have no hope. In this life our respite is often short lived. Just like the women we are called on to go and do the hard work of life after our rest. They still had to finish preparing Jesus’ body for final burial. Little did they know then that even that would be forever altered. Through all our dark days, we would do well to remember that our end has been altered. We have eternal life waiting for us at the end of this journey. Even as time has eroded the Muiredach Cross we can be assured that time will only conclude with our complete restoration and glory! That persuades me to take another step along this difficult journey. As dark as your day may be, the light is coming!