Cornerstone Christian Counselling Centre

by Janet Howden

Christ in the Darkness

June 21 is the longest day of sunlight in the Northern Hemisphere. Oh how we as human beings crave the light and repel the darkness, any kind of darkness.

Yet often darkness is our companion, whether we want it or not. For most of us the concept of 'darkness' means the absence of God. This belief system affects us in many ways.

For some, it means that when they are in the dark at night they become afraid because they fear they are alone.

For others, it represents the darkness they feel as they are going through a difficult time emotionally.

Recently someone talked with me about Matthew 27:42-55, which gives the account of Christ's death on the cross. One thing stood out to me in a new way this time. It was the concept of Jesus hanging on the cross for three hours in total darkness. According to Strong's Concordance, 'darkness' is 'a veil or scarf covering the surface'.

I do not know all the spiritual reasons for why He stayed on the cross for three hours in horrific pain in total darkness before He died. But I understood something which I had not seen so clearly before: Christ is in the darkness!

So often we as believers think darkness means the absence of God, that the enemy is in total control of the situation, because all we feel or sense about the situation is darkness. Yet one of the darkest times in the history of mankind was when Jesus hung on the cross. The earth was veiled or covered with darkness.

Jesus' followers were in anguish in their souls. They thought their leader had failed in His mission to establish a new earthly kingdom. They did not understand that He was establishing access for all of mankind who would accept it, to an eternal spiritual kingdom.

As you read this, I do not know what your emotional darkness is all about. Yet I know that Jesus knows; He wants to walk with you in it. He wants to be there to give you strength and hope.

When the earth was covered with darkness, Jesus was in the midst of it. He was performing his sacrifice for us. He was at work. He was not helpless or powerless.

When we are in our times of darkness we, too, are not alone. He is there with us in the midst of our darkness, still working, still in full power.

The result of those three hours of darkness has changed the world for followers of Christ. I believe God can change our personal world as we go through the darkness. He is there with us, He is by our side. Just as He did not leave the cross, He will not leave us.

I pray that you will turn to Jesus, who is already there, in the midst of your darkness!

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Cornerstone Christian Counselling Centre
258 King St. N.,
519-883-3922
Fax 519-883-3924
Waterloo, Ontario, Canada.
mail: Box 38029 at 256 King St. N. Waterloo Ont. N2J 4T9

For further information contact us at www.cornerstonechristian.ca or info@cornerstonechristian.ca