July 15, 2005

Brilliant in the Darkness

There’s a cross on the top of Red Mountain. 

It looks down over the valley town of Glenwood Springs, Colorado.  The enormous metal cross appears to be constructed of silver scaffolding.  Though the cross is visible from the valley below in daylight, it’s especially noticeable at night.  As darkness descends on Glenwood Springs the cross begins to glow.  Electric bulbs scattered across its surface come to life.  And the effect is remarkable.  Moonlight, starlight and crosslight dance enchantingly across the deepening sky.  The darker the night becomes, the brighter the cross seems to shine. 

Though this dance of light on a clear night is eye-catching, something even more intriguing occurs on an overcast evening.  When moon and stars are blotted out, the effect of the cross is even greater.  On a cloud-covered night, no moonlight illuminates the mountain slopes.  No starlight glows on the tree tops.  Standing in the valley under darkened skies you wouldn’t know that mountains surround you.  That jagged peaks tower above you.  But as darkness closes in and blackness surrounds you, one light shines out across the valley. 

The light of the cross. 

Though mountains and sky have vanished from view the cross has not.  It appears to float weightless and unsupported high in the sky above the town.  It is brilliant in the darkness. 

For you and me, darkness comes in many forms.  Nighttime may be most visible, but other forms are more unbearable.  There is the darkness of loneliness, isolation, depression, and abandonment.  There is the darkness of pain, anger, bitterness, and regret.  There is the darkness of disappointment, failure, hopelessness, and despair.  Those who experience it know the darkness of a heavy heart can rival the blackness of any night.  But it is in the darkest night of the soul that a ray of light and hope can be found. 

It shines from another luminous cross atop another darkened summit.  Ancient scripture describes the scene in vivid detail.   

A darkened hill.  A wooden cross. 

A hammer and nails.  A bruised and beaten man. 

Soldiers.  Skeptics.  Scoffers.  All present to heighten the pain.

The scene was so horrific, the halls of heaven fell silent. 

The scene was so vital, it became the centerpiece of human history. 

For this was no ordinary man.  And this was no ordinary darkness.   His was no ordinary death.  It was God dying on the cross.  Clouds darkened the hill even as sin darkened his soul.  All the anger, all the hatred, all the greed, all the corruption, all the crime, all the injustice, all the evil ever done by anyone at anytime in any place for any reason.  It was all placed upon one innocent person. 

Why would the God of all creation endure the humiliation and degradation of crucifixion? 

Simple.  He did it to win your heart.  He did it to win your soul.  He did it to bring you hope.  Hope for whatever darkness your life may pass through.  His sacrifice is your security.  His brokenness is your healing.

Does the darkness of despair threaten to extinguish your hope? 

Christ’s cross is brilliant in the darkness. 

Has the nightfall of suffering overshadowed your life? 

Christ’s cross is brilliant in the darkness. 

Is the blackness of bitterness overwhelming your spirit? 

Christ’s cross is brilliant in the darkness.

Whenever trouble strikes, take courage.  Whatever crisis comes, have hope.  Christ’s cross is a guide through uncertainty, a path through insecurity, and peace in the hardest of times.  When darkness closes in and blackness surrounds you, one light still shines.  The light of the cross.  And it is brilliant in the darkness.

“Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart, all you who hope in the Lord.” Psalm 31:24  (NKJV)

Todd Chobotar
Mission development
Florida Hospital