Eclipsed

“Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.” Luke 22:31-32
Recently, we’ve been hearing a lot about the Eclipse. The Talking Heads have chattered on and on about its historical significance, the next time one is likely to show up, the track this one will follow, and of course, how to not be blinded by the event. We have been informed ad nauseum (to a sickening degree) that looking directly at the event will damage your eyes. Guess what I expect to see in the news in the aftermath? Yep, stories of people who ignored all that good advice and are surprised to learn it was true, just like there will be far too many people in Hell for basically the same reason.
Eclipses have fascinated humans for thousands of years. They have played a major role in stories and legends up to modern times, were predicted by Chinese and Greek philosophers (and possibly by the builders of Stonehenge), and even right there in the Scriptures.
Did you catch it? No? It’s right in front of your eyes...well, almost. That little word “fail” is an English translation of the Greek word “ekleipo”, from which we got our word “eclipse”, and we take it to mean that something is blocked by something else. What Jesus prayed for Simon was that he would not let his faith be permanently overshadowed by the dark days that were upon them – the crucifixion.
There’s a phrase found in the Bible that is worth repeating here: “It came to pass”. Mostly, it means that “something actually happened”, but I like the idea of Transience there, that is, it didn’t come to STAY, but to PASS. The eclipse is expected to cross the US so quickly that it will only be visible for about 3 minutes from any given location. Those folks who spent a fair chunk of change and time getting into the path better look sharp or they’ll miss it, and from the perspective of a lifetime – or even more so, Eternity – our problems and tragedies will be a lot like that. The effects may endure, especially if we stare at those troubles too deeply, but the events move quickly and march on without pause.
Jesus knew that the events of that first Good Friday were going to be devastating to His disciples, but He also knew that Sunday was coming. He surely knows that Trouble with a Capital T will come to all of us, and we will be tempted to blind ourselves in sorrow and grief by focusing on it. His encouraging words to Peter are to us as well: “when you have turned again”, that is, even though your heart is broken, this too shall pass. Don’t stay in the Valley of the Shadow, come on through!
For his anger is but for a moment, and his favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning. Psalm 30:5