“The Veil” courtesy of Caleb Palmer

I’m posting this a few hours before Good Friday, which was only good for us, of course. Not for Jesus. In the unfolding of passion week, these were the longest hours of all. The betrayal by a kiss. The gripping moment when Peter drew a sword to fight, and cut off one guy’s ear. (I love him for that.)

The surprising exchange when Jesus told Peter it wasn’t time to fight, and then He healed the ear.

The awful torture by Roman soldiers. The devastating loss of friends who scattered. The three-time denial by Peter.

I read these accounts again and react just like in a movie I’ve seen a dozen times. I know the Good Guy will win in the end. I know Peter will be restored, though Judas will be lost. And, even though I know, I tremble in my soul like the women who wait near the cross. I cannot imagine how they felt that day, because I’ve always only known this story in its fullness — with it’s happy ending.

But today, approaching Good Friday, I try to see things from their perspective. I try to remember that for a few, long hours, it seemed that all was really lost.

But, fortunately, that was not the end of the story...