Jeremy L. Berg

A dark shadow is threatening to block out the light of Jesus’ ethic and Kingdom vision for many today. This eclipse has been ongoing for years, and the shadow grows ever larger by the hour. Tragically, some today find themselves in the path of totality, where this lunar / lunatic figure now seems to block out 100% of Jesus-shaped light and reason and truth.

Warning: Looking directly at the Son is dangerous, and should be done only wearing proper biblical lenses. Viewing the Son through the cheap, imitation, false and/or distorted lenses of partisan politics can result in serious damage to one’s faith and witness; and in some cases complete moral blindness.

On this Eclipse Day let me paraphrase the angels on Ascension Day, “America! Why do you all stand here gazing into the sky? This same Jesus, who reigns from heaven, will come back someday to reign on earth. In the meantime, live as loyal citizens of His upside down, peaceable Kingdom here on earth, and don’t get sidetracked or coopted by Caesar’s politics” (see Acts 1:11).

Our main calling as Christians is not to “Make America Great Again”, but to “Make the Church’s Witness Christlike Again.” Jesus says, “I am the light of the world. Whoever FOLLOWS ME will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 8:12). Note: it’s NOT those who “believe in” Jesus (for the afterlife) but those who “follow” — that is, actively obey and practice his teachings and ethics (in this life!) — who will walk out of the shadowy path of totality and into His Kingdom light.

“Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!” (Isaiah 5:20).

“This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil” (John 3:19).