By Pastor Don Schatz

A Clearing of the Eyes

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking on this SoundCloud link

I am the guy with whom you want to go camping.  No matter where the wind is coming from, no matter where I move around the campfire, the smoke follows me.  It will never bother you if you stay away from me!  Smoke not only gets in my eyes, but my hair, my clothing, I swear even under my fingernails.  I must smell like freshly smoked venison to any bears in the area!

“I will show wonders in the heavens and on the earth, blood and fire and billows of smoke.”
Joel 2:30 New International Version

If Joel spoke these words today, he might do so with a quick glance toward me.  But he spoke the prophecy some 2700-ish years ago, in a section of images depicting what would happen when God would ‘come to town’.  Some people still today disagree about when this prophecy will be fulfilled.  Apparently, they have not read the Book of Acts.

Problem solved!  The Apostle Peter, in his Pentecost Day sermon in Acts 2, quotes today’s verse and the surrounding passages from Joel.  The prophecy, said Peter, was what the crowds were hearing and seeing.  ‘We aren’t drunk,’ said Peter.  ‘This is what Joel was talking about.’  The pouring out of the Holy Spirit on the people of God and the proclamation of the Word of God.

“Blood and fire and billows of smoke.”  Smoke from wildfires can create a beautiful sunset.  It turns out they can also remind us of the promises of God, fulfilled in Jesus.  Our Lord surrounds us with his grace.  He forgives us, make us his children and watches over us through and for the sake of Jesus our Savior.  And fills our lives with the reminders.

True to form, God takes what is the result of tragedy and creates something beautiful.  A reminder that out of the tragedy of our sinfulness, he created the beautiful person that you are in Jesus.  Today we are the reminders of God’s grace in the lives of others.  And we don’t even have to sting their eyes!  Instead, in Christ, there is A Clearing of the Eyes to see God.

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado