My kids will be the ones with the homemade viewers for the eclipse today. That’s because I procrastinated about getting “official” glasses. They were available for free at the library, but I walked past the display without picking any up. So we’ll have to make do with some cereal boxes and tape. In case no one told you this, if you look directly at the sun, you can burn your retina.
Today is supposed to be the “most-watched eclipse in North American history”. I was thinking of the many people who have traveled to the path of totality. I pictured them looking up to watch the sun be covered by the moon, and I couldn’t help but think of another day. On some future day, everyone on the earth will look up.
Then everyone will see the Son of Man arrive on the clouds with power and great glory. So when all these things begin to happen, stand straight and look up, for your salvation is near! Luke 21:27-28
Ancient people feared an eclipse because they thought it revealed a weakness in their sun god. Others thought it was a portent of catastrophe. For the Christian, our God has no weakness. Today I won’t be looking up in fear, but in awe, reminded of the power of God who has saved me. And I’ll be looking ahead to a future day, when I will see my Savior arrive in all His power and glory.
I can’t help but also think of the many who will have procrastinated, who will have delayed too long, who will have put off the day of salvation until the day of judgment. On that day, our good works, our own efforts at right living, will amount to nothing more than cardboard and tape. We need a Savior. There is only one way to be saved, and that is to trust that Jesus has made it possible for you to look directly into the glory of God and not be consumed.
I saw someone who looked like a man coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient One and was led into his presence. He was given authority, honor, and royal power over all the nations of the world, so that people of every race and nation and language would obey him. His rule is eternal – it will never end. His kingdom will never be destroyed. Daniel 7:13-14