Open my eyes to see…

Luke 23: 44-49

By this time it was about noon, and darkness fell across the whole land until three o’clock.45 The light from the sun was gone. And suddenly, the curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn down the middle.

46 Then Jesus shouted, “Father, I entrust my spirit into your hands!” And with those words he breathed his last.
47 When the Roman officer overseeing the execution saw what had happened, he worshiped God and said, “Surely this man was innocent.”48 And when all the crowd that came to see the crucifixion saw what had happened, they went home in deep sorrow.

49 But Jesus’ friends, including the women who had followed him from Galilee, stood at a distance watching.

Yesterday about 9:45 in the morning, darkness fell around the hospital in which I volunteer.  When we could get to a window, we would peer into the skies to see if a funnel cloud could be seen.  It was unusual to experience such darkness at that hour but it was not unexpected.  We were under tornado warnings.  I wonder how would we have felt if we were in Israel on that day and hour when Jesus died?  It was noon- and darkness fell across the whole land until three.  Like many sky watchers yesterday, we would know something was going on in the heavens but may not know exactly WHAT!

At 3 pm, the curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn down the middle.  This was no ordinary curtain but one that separated people from the presence of God.  Now, in the most sacred place in the world, the separation was destroyed.  The job God had given Jesus to do was done.  He was returning to the Father.  The way had been provided for others to meet with God, through Jesus.

Again this morning I am noticing the different reactions of the people on the scene.  A Roman officer was able to see the significance of what had just happened. He worshiped and declared the truth.  He was not a person who had been practicing the Jewish faith but he recognized the significance of the moment.

What the crowds had seen made them go home in deep sorrow.  As it is recorded earlier in the Luke chapter – Jesus knows they really have no idea the significance of what has just happened.  They just go home sad.

His friends stay at a distance and watch. 

What will I do in my own generation? 

Will I not be ashamed of worshipping God and proclaiming the Truth?

Will I go back to my daily routine of life not realizing the significance of what happened on this day centuries ago?  Jesus has risen.  We can have a REAL relationship with him today but will I pay attention?

Will, I, being Jesus’ friend, just watch from a safe distance what is happening to the people Jesus loves?

Dear Lord, give me the eyes to see what you see today and the courage to respond as you desire. Amen.