ON MONDAY thousands of people across the central USA, along with millions of television viewers watched the total solar eclipse of the sun for the first time in 99 years.
A 70-mile wide, 2,500-mile long strip across 14 states of America was shrouded in darkness as it moved east.
On the television we received expert analysis from scientists and eclipse followers, which added to the excitement of the event and helped us to appreciate what was actually happening and why.
Down through the centuries there have been many such events which have mystified and frightened those who had no idea what was actually happening and therefore caused widespread fear, panic and alarm.
Sadly the partial eclipse we should have been able to see in this country was blocked out by thick cloud.
This latest eclipse, over America, lasted between two and three minutes but 2000 years ago the sun was blacked out for three hours from midday until 3pm and the people were utterly afraid.
It happened as Jesus Christ was hanging on the cross outside of Jerusalem and as he died, darkness filled the whole land.
As Jesus died in the dark, he took the punishment for our wrong doings and in doing so he opened the possibility that we can live in the light of God as we accept his offer of salvation.
Something to Think About is supplied by Churches Together in Evesham and District
