An eclipse is an amazing event. The ancient societies would mark it with ceremonies and wonder. Across America for a few hours people came together not in anger or protest but to witness together an event that still amazes us today. Any event these days that can do that is truly a miracle. Few events can eclipse an eclipse. An event in the first century though eclipsed all of this. The life, death and resurrection of Christ is the greatest event of all. Across time and societies Christians have gathered to celebrate this amazing event. Books have been written, songs sung and countless sermons spoken to remember and praise this event.
Another important reaction to this event, just like with the eclipse, is that it brought people from different cultures, economic situations, and beliefs together. The church was the common ground that people could stand together on. They came together in love for Christ and that love for him then brought them together with each other. A great tragedy is that too often over the centuries the name of Christ has been associated more with hate and tearing down people than with love. We see the effects of this on the church in America. We are splintered and our voice is no longer respected and listened to as it was.
So what are we to do? How can we bring back the wonder of the cross, to find in it something that causes us to drop petty differences and stand together in awe of him? Once again we need to allow our love for Christ to eclipse everything else. We need to come together around the cross with a Savior who loved each one of us enough to die for us. I may not agree with every belief another Christian has, but if I can come together with them as one who has surrendered to our Lord, we have reason to stand together and let the world know. And maybe if that is more important to us than picking each other apart America may once again be in awe of Christ as we are of a total eclipse.
Don
Another important reaction to this event, just like with the eclipse, is that it brought people from different cultures, economic situations, and beliefs together. The church was the common ground that people could stand together on. They came together in love for Christ and that love for him then brought them together with each other. A great tragedy is that too often over the centuries the name of Christ has been associated more with hate and tearing down people than with love. We see the effects of this on the church in America. We are splintered and our voice is no longer respected and listened to as it was.
So what are we to do? How can we bring back the wonder of the cross, to find in it something that causes us to drop petty differences and stand together in awe of him? Once again we need to allow our love for Christ to eclipse everything else. We need to come together around the cross with a Savior who loved each one of us enough to die for us. I may not agree with every belief another Christian has, but if I can come together with them as one who has surrendered to our Lord, we have reason to stand together and let the world know. And maybe if that is more important to us than picking each other apart America may once again be in awe of Christ as we are of a total eclipse.
Don
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