This phrase “living in the path of totality” is one I have heard used several times recently as we approach the April 8, 2024 solar eclipse. The “path of totality” describes a narrow band of geography from Texas to Maine where the sun’s rays will be totally eclipsed for a few minutes as the moon passes between the earth and sun. The effect will be a gradual and then near complete “darkness” or obscuring of the sun’s light as the moon blocks it from earth. A total solar eclipse is rare, though there was one observed in parts of our nation about 7 years ago. This year’s event is more significant in that it will transpire across a larger swath of the country and some of the more metropolitan areas of population.
It also comes just a little over a week after Easter, as we emerge from the darkness of Jesus’ passion, including his death on Good Friday. In fact, the Bible describes the final hours of Jesus’ life on the cross in much the same way some of this scientific language forecasts the eclipse: “When it was noon, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon.” (Mark 15:33 NRSV). Matthew recounts the descent of darkness in much the same way, adding some other special effects that occurred when Jesus’ died (Mt 23:51ff): “At that moment the temple curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. The earth shook, and the rocks were split. The tombs also were opened, and many bodies of the saints that had fallen asleep were raised.” Luke states: “It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon, while the sun’s light failed; and the curtain of the temple was torn in two.” (Luke 23:44-45 NRSV). John makes no mention of the darkness, tearing of the veil, earthquake or opened tombs.
There is one significant difference, however, between the darkness of Good Friday and that projected for April 8th’s eclipse – length of time. Most communities within “the path of totality” will experience somewhere between two and four minutes of darkness. Jesus’ death on Good Friday inaugurated three hours of darkness at mid-day. And, the Bible states, the darkness came over the whole land. Was this just the land of Jerusalem? The land of Judah? The Middle East? The entire world? I’m not sure, but it seems to have been pervasive at least for those who experienced and wrote about it.
Light and darkness are themes oft repeated in the Bible. God is light, and in him there is no darkness at all. (I John 1:5) Jesus is “the light of the world”. (John 8:12) Doesn’t it make sense that as the light of his life is being snuffed out, darkness would descend? Darkness symbolizes the pervasive heaviness of sin, falling as a blanket on the Lord as he dies, carrying that burden on his person. The shadow of that sin falls upon the city, the land, the people as well. Make no mistake, Good Friday was a dark day in many ways.
Can you recall an experience in which you were immersed in total darkness? I’m talking about the kind where you can’t see your hand in front of your face? Where there is no ambient light, no light of any kind to suggest visual orientation. One of the plagues, the ninth plague in Exodus 10:21ff is darkness. Moses was commanded to stretch out his hand “so that there may be darkness over the land of Egypt, a darkness that can be felt.” That darkness lasted for three days!
I do not know if the darkness of Good Friday was so dense as to keep one from seeing their hand in front of their face, but I’m quite sure it was a “darkness that could be felt”. Jesus felt it. The women and Beloved Disciple at the foot of the cross felt it. The soldiers must’ve felt it. One can almost feel it yet today.
Darkness works as a metaphor because we understand it’s limiting effects. It impairs, it hides, it obscures, it attempts to conceal. Darkness is the manifestation of evil. It’s the palpability of sin. There is within every heart, even if just in a corner or crevice the capacity to know, choose and live darkness.
So, this “living in the path of totality”, it’s not all that far fetched is it? Maybe that’s why the phrase has so resonated with me? Maybe it’s because I know that “all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). I know it not just because I read it in Scripture, or hear it proclaimed in preaching. I know it in my soul. It’s personal, and it’s convicting, and – yes – it’s dark. Isn’t it?
So much darkness exists in the human condition. Just listen to, read, or watch the news. Darkness in Jerusalem, darkness in Gaza, darkness in Ukraine, in Russia. But darkness, as well, in the USA. Darkness in politics. Darkness in oppression. Darkness of hate. Darkness of sin – rebellion against the ways and spirit of God.
Jesus took all that darkness upon his person, and it was nailed with him to the cross, where he died – in darkness, with other supernatural phenomenon testifying to his coming victory over death and immediate victory over sin. Maybe we should think about this, as we will do again on Good Friday, on April 8th as we spend just a few minutes “living in the path of totality”.
danielcash 