The solar eclipse last August was the first to be visible across the entire contiguous United States since 1918, and it was the first solar eclipse in the age of social media with viewers using their smartphones to capture and share the spectacle.
Eclipse glasses sold out in some areas, so people created viewers from cardboard boxes.
Why the need for glasses or cardboard viewers?
Because the sun is far too bright to glance at directly.
In fact, experts warned that staring at the sun, even for a brief moment, could result in permanent vision loss.
This warning, to not stare directly at “the sun”, does not apply to staring directly at “The Son”.
In 2 Corinthians 3:18 we read:
“And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into His image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.”
We do not need special glasses; in fact, we come to God’s Word with unveiled faces to contemplate Christ’s glory in all its brightness.
It does not cause permanent vision loss either, because it says in this passage that it causes our spiritual eyes to focus better.
As we focus on Christ, the Holy Spirit will be transforming us into Christ’s very image with ever-increasing glory.
Our transformation into Christ’s image in this life (spiritual maturity) does not come by being Law-conscious or sin-conscious but by being Christ-conscious.
A literal translation of Hebrews 12:2 reads:
“Looking away from all that will distract to Jesus, Who is the Source of our faith and the One Who brings it to maturity.”
We are not to be distracted from our wonderful Savior, Who lives in us and Who will live through us, as we trust Him to do so.
There is coming a day, for those of us who have believed in Jesus as our Savior, when we will be reunited with Him in glory.
“Christ in you, the hope of glory.”
We will see Him face to face, the weight of His majesty no longer too much to bear.
Revelation 21:23 says it this way:
“The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives its light, and the Lamb is its lamp.”
How glorious that will be! May we let Him live through us moment-by-moment so we can be transformed into His image for His glory.
Blessings!
Pastor Ken Keeler, Director of Church Ministries