The Backside Of Sunset
Sunset
Watching the changes in the sky as we flew from west to east, a thought came to me–we were flying through the backside of sunset into darkness. My mind played with the words as I tried to picture what they meant.
If I had mentioned it to my friend, she probably would have given me a quick scientific answer. But for just a moment, think with me on this thought. We live on a planet where we have daylight until it’s sunset. Then darkness crawls in. But on the other side of sunset, light still exists. And we flew right past that light, through the sunset, and into the dark.
Eternal Light
Jesus, our eternal light, existed before time began. He is eternal wisdom, coequal with the Father, Creator of the universe and everything in it (I Corinthians 1:24, John 1:1-3).
But God Almighty loves us so much He chose ahead of time to send His perfect Son to take our sin on Himself. God chose this, even though He knew His justice would then demand His wrath against sin would pour out on His Beloved (Ephesians 1:3-4, 1 Peter 1:18-21, Galatians 3:13, Romans 5:8-9).
Jesus, living in eternal light, left His home with the Father, and came through the backside of sunset to our dark world. For us.
The Light Of Life
Jesus, the Light of Life, showed us the Father while He walked here (John 14:8-9). He willingly suffered in the darkness of this world, and went to an even darker place totally separated from the Creator, taking on Himself the penalty belonging to us (Isaiah 53:5-11, Matthew 27:46). Sun set on His life. And as far as it seemed to His followers, the sun had set on their hope of a Messiah.
When we think about Jesus, His eternality, His power, His love, His obedience to the Father, we are overwhelmed. Jesus in His humanity took God’s wrath: physical death and separation from our perfect and loving Creator.
But Christ, in His own perfection, had the power to overcome darkness completely. His resurrection from death, returning to this earth, was a reminder to all humankind–Jesus is God. He has power over death. And victory over all darkness!
God’s Love Gives Light
Our Lord’s love for us caused Him to ask the Father to send His Spirit to be with us forever (John 14:16-17). When Jesus ascended to be with the Father, He left us with hope of a bright future to come. While we walk here in this dark place, on the dark side of sunset, He chooses to walk with us through His Holy Spirit, promising to never leave us or forsake us. This Comforter is our guarantee of joy and peace forever (Ephesians 1:13-14).
Think of it. Jesus came through the backside of sunset to bring us His Light. His eternal wisdom is ours now as His Spirit dwells in us if we are His. And one day, when our own personal sunset arrives, we will join our Lord in His eternal light. On the other side of sunset.
Sunset Leads To Sunrise
Sometimes scientific explanations are not enough to satisfy our soul. But the Word of God is always able to satisfy the deepest longings of the heart. The days are dark on this earth right now. The enemy works hard to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10). He desires to steal our joy, kill our peace, and destroy our hope.
But we don’t need to fear. Our Lord came through the backside of sunset to rescue us! He willingly came from His eternal light to our temporary darkness in order to save us. No matter how dark this world becomes, God is good. Jesus is Lord. And those who are His will live in His light forever. *
(* If you wish to know how to belong to Jesus and avoid darkness forever, check out this link. Or send me a message. The Father loves us all and desires everyone to be in His kingdom of light.)
Jesus spoke to them again: “I am the light of the world. Anyone who follows me will never walk in the darkness but will have the light of life.
John 8:12, CSB
(Photos: Taken by Carolyn Thigpen, St. Simon's, GA, and Tiberias, Israel.)
