Millions of people in North America from Mexico, across the United States and into Canada will experience the rare phenomenon of a total solar eclipse today, April 8, 2024.  Since the moon is closer to the earth than during the last total eclipse on August 21, 2017, the width of “totality” will be greater (108-122 miles) than it was in 2017 (62-71 miles) and will last longer (4 1/2 minutes versus 3 minutes in 2017). It will also pass over more densely populated areas than in 2017, including such cities as Dallas, Little Rock, Indianapolis, Cleveland and Buffalo.   A total eclipse occurs when the orbit of the moon passes between the sun and earth, completely blocking the face of the sun, darkening the sky as if it were dawn or dusk. The source of light gets blocked off as something comes between. 

      While solar eclipses are relatively rare (the next total eclipse won’t be until 2044), “spiritual eclipses” are much more common, as people allow something to come between them and “the Light of the World,” Jesus Christ . The Apostle John, in the introduction to his gospel, speaks of the “Word” (Jesus)  becoming flesh and dwelling among us (Jn. 1:14) and writes, “In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it (i.e. did not overcome it) (Jn. 1:4,5). Later in his gospel, John records Jesus saying: “I am the light of the world; he who follows Me shall not walk in the darkness, but shall have the light of life” (Jn. 8:12), and in John’s first epistle, he writes: “And this is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is light and in Him there is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth; but if we walk in the light as He Himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin” (I Jn. 1:5-7). 

     Tragically, many experience a “spiritual eclipse” because they allow something to come between them and God, the source of spiritual light.  First of all, our adversary Satan tries to blind people from the truth of the “Good News” (the Gospel) about Christ’s death, burial and resurrection to pay the penalty for our sins. “If our gospel is veiled; it is veiled to those who are perishing, in whose case the god of this world (Satan) has blinded the minds of the unbelieving, that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ who is the image of God” (II Cor. 4:3,4). 

     Then many, when they do hear the truth about God and Jesus Christ, “suppress the truth…and their foolish heart is darkened“ and they end up worshiping created things rather than the Creator. They “exchange the truth of God for a lie” (Ro.1:18-25).  John, in speaking of such folks, writes: “And this is the judgment that the light is come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the light; for their deeds were evil. For everyone who does evil hates the light, and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed” (Jn.3: 19,20).  Many substitute idols for the true God and their hearts become dark, cut off from the One who is the only source of light. Consequently, they walk in darkness. 

     But, “God, who said, ‘Light shall shine out of darkness,’ is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ” (II Cor. 4:6).  When God opens our eyes to the truth about Jesus Christ, and gives us faith to trust in Him for eternal life, He “calls us out of darkness into His marvelous light” (I Pet. 2:9). The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Ephesian believers, wrote: “For you were formerly darkness, but now you are light in the Lord, walk as children of light” (Eph. 5:8). 

     As those who have been taken out of spiritual darkness into God’s marvelous light, we are to “walk in the light as He Himself is in the light” (I Jn. 1:7).  That is, we are not to let anything, or anyone, come between us and God.  That happens when we allow sin to go unconfessed (Isa. 59:2; Psa. 66:18) or we decide to follow the desires of our flesh (old sinful nature) instead of letting the Holy Spirit control our lives.  Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross, and follow Me” (Mt. 16:24). If we are to “walk in the light,” we must have Christ first in our life in all things. We have to be “all in” for Jesus–willing even to lay down our life for Him. 

     “Nothing between my soul and the Savior, naught of this world’s delusive dream;

     I have renounced all sinful pleasure–Jesus is mine, there’s nothing between.

     Nothing between, like worldly pleasure; habits of life, tho harmless they seem, 

     must not my heart from Him ever sever. He is my all, there’s nothing between.

     Nothing between, not even hard trials, Tho the whole world against me convene;

     watching with prayer and much self denial–triumph at last, with nothing between!”

     Chorus:

     “Nothing between my soul and the savior, so that His blessed face may be seen;

      nothing preventing the least of His favor: keep the way clear–let nothing between”      …..                                                          Nothing Between by Charles A. Tindley

     Don’t let anything come between you and the One who is “The Light of the World.”  If you are experiencing a “spiritual eclipse,” turn toward The Light, let Him remove whatever is blocking out His Light and let that light flood over your soul. 

Forever His,

Pastor Dave