Studies by Book
Luke 23 44-49 THE DEATH OF JESUS 01 15Jan2022 Luke 23 44-45 Man is walking in darkness
📖 Luke 23:44-49
01 - 15Jan2022 – Man is walking in darkness - Luke 23:44-49 - THE DEATH OF JESUS - Bible reading: Isaiah 59:9
“Lord Jesus, we thank You for all that took place on the cross. It overwhelms us to know of all that You have provided to us through Your death on the cross. Lord, we have caused much pain to Your heart because of our rebellion. Lord, You desire for us to live in the fullness of Your kingdom but we have rejected You and Your kingdom life. We have chosen the evil and darkness and all that is against You. We come to You in repentance and commit ourselves to You. In Jesus name, we pray, Amen.”
Friends, we have completed the study of Luke 23:26-43 which was THE CRUCIFIXION OF JESUS. We now begin the next study, which is Luke 23:44-49 which is THE DEATH OF JESUS.
Luke 23:44-49 Now it was about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour. (45) Then the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was torn in two. (46) And when Jesus had cried out with a loud voice, He said, "Father, 'INTO YOUR HANDS I COMMIT MY SPIRIT.' " Having said this, He breathed His last. (47) So when the centurion saw what had happened, he glorified God, saying, "Certainly this was a righteous Man!" (48) And the whole crowd who came together to that sight, seeing what had been done, beat their breasts and returned. (49) But all His acquaintances, and the women who followed Him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things.
Jesus spoke three words from the cross, prior to the three hours of darkness that came over all the earth. Immediately following the three hours of darkness, Jesus spoke the remaining four words from the cross, almost one after the other, and then Jesus died, as any man dies.
The three hours of darkness, which was over all the earth, was from the sixth hour till the ninth hour, (12 Noon till 3.00 PM) which is the brightest part of a day.
Matthew 27:45 Now from the sixth hour until the ninth hour there was darkness over all the land. Mark 15:33 Now when the sixth hour had come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour.
What do these three hours of darkness, represent?
At the end of the three hours of darkness, Jesus cried out with a loud voice.
Matthew 27:46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, "Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?" that is, "MY GOD, MY GOD, WHY HAVE YOU FORSAKEN ME?"
This is the fourth word or the middle word, out of the seven words that Jesus spoke from the cross.
This was the moment when the greatest pressure of the cross came upon Jesus.
We must realise that the entire relationship that God has with man, is a relationship of us being in His kingdom. The purpose of Jesus on the cross is to restore us back to His kingdom.
Jesus came preaching the gospel of the kingdom, which the Jews understood very well.
Mark 1:14-15 Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, (15) and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel."
The Jews were eagerly waiting for the Messiah to come and for the kingdom of God to be restored.
Acts 1:6 Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him, saying, "Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?"
In the Old Testament, there are several passages that talk of the beauty of the kingdom of God. Genesis 49:10; Isaiah 1:26, Isaiah 9:6-7; Jeremiah 23:5-6, Jeremiah 33:15-17, Jeremiah 33:26; Ezekiel 37:24-27; Daniel 7:27; Hosea 3:4; Joel 3:16-21; Amos 9:11; Obadiah 1:17-21; Micah 5:2; Zephaniah 3:15-17; Zechariah 9:9
The kingdom of God is a wholesome place, where man and creation enjoy the Shalom of God.
Shalom refers to man and creation experiencing, wholeness, completeness, harmony, well-being, fullness, abundance and much more. The Jews were expecting the Messiah to come and establish His reign, rule, His kingdom, authority, which would be the Shalom of God.
The kingdom of God had various other expressions too.
Matthew 6:33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
Righteousness was an integral part of the kingdom of God. The world today is in a state of unrighteousness and so the world is away from the kingdom of God. Sin is against God and against His kingdom. Man and creation are in a state of darkness.
Psalm 89:14 Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne; Mercy and truth go before Your face. Proverbs 21:3 To do righteousness and justice Is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice. Isaiah 28:17 Also I will make justice the measuring line, And righteousness the plummet; The hail will sweep away the refuge of lies, And the waters will overflow the hiding place.
The kingdom of God has other features such as peace, joy and all of the fruit of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 14:17-18 for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. (18) For he who serves Christ in these things is acceptable to God and approved by men.
The darkness represents all that was against the kingdom of God and this is the representation of sin. This darkness was now upon Jesus.
Isaiah 59:9 Therefore justice is far from us, Nor does righteousness overtake us; We look for light, but there is darkness! For brightness, but we walk in blackness!
Thought to ponder
Through His work on the cross, the Lord was restoring us back to His kingdom of light.