The Ultimate Cover-Up: Some Thoughts on the Eclipse

I’m sure there will be tons of devotional articles about the “Great American Eclipse”.  On August 21, 2017, people in a 66-mile-wide path, stretching from Oregon to South Carolina, will be able to witness the sun be completely blocked from view by the moon, and the rest of the United States will experience a partial eclipse.  Obviously, the eclipse is a big deal, and there are several spiritual applications that can be drawn from it.  Here are my thoughts about this grandiose celestial event. 

Darkness and Light are common spiritual themes.  We know that Light is symbolic of goodness and God, and darkness is symbolic of evil and Satan.  But, the analogy I draw from thinking about the eclipse doesn’t deal with the most obvious symbolism.  When I think about the eclipse, I think about the massive, powerful sun being covered up, blocked out, at least from our line of sight.  The sun is so big and powerful, yet it will be hidden from view.
 
Right now, especially, in our country and in our world, it feels like sin abounds- against God and against our fellow man.  It’s easy to feel like the egregious acts of evil we witness daily are too rampant and too serious to be overcome.  But the Bible clearly gives us the answer:  “And above all things have fervent love for one another, for love will cover a multitude of sins. (1 Peter 4:8)”  This verse is a reference to Proverbs 10:12, which says: “Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins.”

Love eclipses sin.  Just as the sun will negate the effect of the sun during the eclipse, love can negate the power of sin in the world.

I’m thankful for the total spiritual eclipse that has taken place in the life of every believer.  When a person repents of their sin and believes on Jesus as their Savior, the sins of the past are blocked out, never to be seen again by God. 

Where I live, 95% of the sun will be covered by the moon during the solar eclipse.  But, Jesus, who’s love is perfect, has covered up 100% of my sin.  The Bible says, “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. (John 8:36)”  Not a little bit free.  Not mostly free.  Free, indeed.