The eclipse witnesses of Christ

The 21 Aug 2017 eclipse as photographed by my friend R Lawrence

"And thus God breaketh the bands of death, having gained the victory over death; giving the Son power to make intercession for the children of men—

"Having ascended into heaven, having the bowels of mercy; being filled with compassion towards the children of men; standing betwixt them and justice; having broken the bands of death, taken upon himself their iniquity and their transgressions, having redeemed them, and satisfied the demands of justice." (Mosiah 15:8-9)

Jesus is the great intercessor, which means he comes between us and God's justice. Just like the moon comes between us and the sun, Jesus stands and takes the heat for us. If even a sliver of the sun's glory were to touch our eye's retina, it would burn us. Likewise, if even a little bit of the justice of God were to sear our souls, we would wither.

Moses said that he would have withered in the presence of God if he had not been "transfigured" or changed to be able to endure it. Here is what he said, "But now mine own eyes have beheld God; but not my natural, but my spiritual eyes, for my natural eyes could not have beheld; for I should have withered and died in his presence; but his glory was upon me; and I beheld his face, for I was transfigured before him." (Moses 1:11)

God's glory described by Moses is no less powerful than God's justice or his mercy. Without Jesus Christ, we would have no strength in His presence. Jesus Christ is our Savior. He offered his own life as a sacrifice for our sins, weaknesses and impurities. He gained victory over death. We depend wholly on him for the ability to overcome death and be resurrected.

To look at the sun as it was being eclipsed, I had to stick my head in a box and look at the projected image of the sun. I was so weak, I could not even look at a part of the sun. I felt a little silly putting my head in a box but it was fun. In contrast, I will be a glorified being when I stand in God's presence after death. I am grateful for that promise. I look forward with hope to that great day.