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Nature Sympathized with His Suffering, January 28
And it was about the sixth hour, and there was a darkness over all the earth
until the ninth hour. And the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple
was rent in the midst.
Luke 23:44, 45
.
Faith and hope trembled in the expiring agonies of Christ because God had
removed the assurance He had heretofore given His beloved Son of His approbation
and acceptance. The Redeemer of the world then relied upon the evidences which
had hitherto strengthened Him, that His Father accepted His labors and was pleased
with His work. In His dying agony, as He yields up His precious life, He has by
faith alone to trust in Him whom it has ever been His joy to obey. He is not cheered
with clear, bright rays of hope on the right hand nor on the left. All is enshrouded in
oppressive gloom.
Amid the awful darkness which is felt by sympathizing nature, the Redeemer
drains the mysterious cup even to its dregs. Denied even bright hope and confidence
in the triumph which will be His in the future, He cries with a loud voice: “Father,
into thy hands I commend my spirit.” He is acquainted with the character of His
Father, with His justice, His mercy, and His great love, and in submission He drops
into His hands. Amid the convulsions of nature are heard by the amazed spectators
the dying words of the Man of Calvary.
Nature sympathized with the suffering of its Author. The heaving earth, the
rent rocks, proclaimed that it was the Son of God who died. There was a mighty
earthquake. The veil of the Temple was rent in twain. Terror seized the executioners
and spectators as they beheld the sun veiled in darkness, and felt the earth shake
beneath them, and saw and heard the rending of the rocks. The mocking and jeering
of the chief priests and elders were hushed as Christ commended His spirit into
the hands of His Father. The astonished throng began to withdraw and grope their
way in the darkness to the city. They smote upon their breasts as they went and in
terror, speaking scarcely above a whisper, said among themselves: “It is an innocent
person that has been murdered. What if, indeed, He is, as He asserted, the Son of
God?”
Jesus did not yield up His life till He had accomplished the work which He came
to do, and exclaimed with His departing breath: “It is finished.” Satan was then
defeated. He knew that his kingdom was lost. Angels rejoiced as the words were
uttered: “It is finished.” The great plan of redemption, which was dependent on the
death of Christ, had been thus far carried out. And there was joy in heaven that the
sons of Adam could, through a life of obedience, be finally exalted to the throne of
God. Oh, what love! What amazing love! that brought the Son of God to earth to be
made sin for us, that we might be reconciled to God, and elevated to a life with Him
in His mansions in glory (
Testimonies For The Church 2:210-212
).
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