Earthly Thoughts on a Grey "Good" Friday

There were those who sneered, those who wept.  But what of the others?  Did they watch?

A gruesome man in his final hours.  Not quite a haloed painting in a cathedral.

Did they turn away?  Block out the ugly? 

The climax of human suffering.

Did they bolster the moment with a smile, a psalm, a cheery bit about praising the Lord through all things?  Did they remind him that this too shall pass?  Did they want him to be joyful, be bold, fulfill his highest calling as the man and savior God sent him to be? 

A cry out to heaven. 

Did they cringe at his tone, chastise his language, roll their eyes at his suffering, doubt his faith?  Did they want him to act...a little more like Christ?

One Savior as man.  One earthly moment engulfing the raw, vulnerable condition of humanity.

Did they ignore, gloss, patronize, judge, demand an immediate testimony of a greater cause, a happy ending?

Or did they embrace a man in his frailty, support without spewing the answers, empathize instead of spiritualize, allow him and those around to feel, to grieve, and to question.  Did they?

Do we?

Like one who takes away a garment on a cold day,

or like vinegar poured on soda,

is one who sings songs to a heavy heart.

~Proverbs 25:20