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| Crowds of eager observers were gathered at Niagara Falls to witness the eclipse of the sun at the moment of totality, which occurred at 15:20 on April 08 2024. In case one is wondering, this image was recorded mid afternoon, and not at night. |
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| This illustration shows the projected path for the moon's shadow for totality when earth's satellite would pass over this part of Ontario and neighbouring states. Niagara Falls (not shown on the map but near Buffalo, NY.) was slightly north of the centre line, and therefore Niagara Falls was one of the most appealing locations for people to gather and observe. |
Yesterday, that very much anticipated total eclipse of the sun occurred in Niagara Falls around 15:20, and was also observed as a total eclipse over this city in Canada where I dwell. (as well as thousands of other cities and towns too) In the weeks that had been leading up to this anticipated rare event, the media was busy reporting on just about every aspect of the eclipse.
Much hoopla and excessive talk on the news culminated yesterday day, but I didn’t hear or read anything in the media about the eclipse in a scriptural context.
So I'll share some thoughts...
“And God said, “Let there be lights in the firmament of the heavens to separate the day from the night; and let them be for signs and for seasons and for days and for years.” (Genesis 1:14)
An eclipse of the sun is an unmistakable albeit brief reminder of separating the day from the night, and whether done right or wrong, interpreted for signs.
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| Earlier in the day, one news commentator was using a diagram much like this to explain in great detail how an eclipse occurs, but in concluding his discourse and sounding amazed too, he said, "I don't know how all this holds together but it works." |
This is how all holds together, and why it works, "...all things were created through Him (Jesus) and for Him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together." (Colossians 1:16-17)
That commentator's remark was another reminder that mankind is amazed by observing the wonders of God's creation, yet we refuse to acknowledge all creation is God's evidence to us and for us to know of His existence. We deny God to our own detriment, for we are all without excuse.
There have been theories too about an eclipse having occurred at the time Jesus was on the cross. (personally I doubt an eclipse occurred)
“Now about the sixth hour, there was darkness over all the land, until the ninth hour.” (Matthew 27:45-46) This same event and the same hours of the day are also mentioned in the gospels of Mark and Luke.
All that is known with certainty is that darkness over all the land occurred for those three hours in between the sixth hour and the ninth hour, and no mention whatsoever was made about the sun being covered.
"...and the Lord has laid on him all the iniquity of sin." (Isaiah 52:6)
Was this darkness a time when God looked away because all sin of the world was laid upon Jesus while hanged on the cross, and therefore all the land experienced a brief absence of God’s presence?
“And if a man has committed a crime punishable by death and he is put to death, and you hang him on a tree, his body shall not remain all night upon the tree, but you shall bury him the same day, for a hanged man is accursed by God…” (Deuteronomy 22:21)
"But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs." (John 19:35) because this is what God commanded Moses concerning the Passover lamb, "...but you shall not break a bone of it." (Exodus 12:40)
”So because of the Jewish day of Preparation, as the tomb was close at hand, they laid Jesus there.” (John 19:42)
These verses confirm that Jesus died, was removed from the cross and buried the same day, all in accordance with God’s commandment.
Jesus was crucified at that Passover designated by God, and a sabbath day was between the Passover and First Fruits. We know this because of what was written, “On the sabbath they rested according to the commandment.” (Luke 23:56)
This was the commandment, “Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.” (Exodus 20:8)
We don’t hear this next verse from Exodus mentioned at Easter, and we should, “The first of the first fruits of your ground you shall bring into the house of the Lord your God.” (Exodus 23:19)
“Now after the sabbath, toward the dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the sepulchre. And behold there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone, and sat upon it. (Matthew 28:1-2)
That first day after the Sabbath, the dawn of the first day of the week, was First Fruits.
What follows is part of what the two men in dazzling apparel, standing at the empty tomb said, “Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and on the third day rise.” (Luke 24:6-7)
Jesus is the first fruit of the first fruits of the ground, and resurrected from the ground on the third day to fulfill the scriptures.
God told Moses, “Everything that I command you you shall be careful to do; you shall not add or take from it.” (Deuteronomy 12:32)
And Jesus said of Moses, “If you believed Moses, you would believe me, for he wrote of me.” (John 5:46)
The eclipse has now passed, the hoopla has died-down, and the millions who have flocked into the path of the totality shall return to wherever they journeyed from.
Other eclipses too shall come and go, however, what Jesus said shall not go, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.” (Matthew 24:35)
Easter this year occurred recently, on March 31st, and Passover shall begin on April 22nd evening.
What I have not understood though, (because the official but unscriptural explanation of the historical church troubles me) is why in some years, Easter dates are out of step with the Passover, and in other years, Easter dates align with the Passover.
Was yesterday afternoon's brief darkening of one light in the firmament on a day between Easter and Passover a sign?
I don't know.
The Oddblock Station Agent
