Good Friday: The Wall Test

The Wall Test

When they say "To the wall!"

and the squad does a right turn,

where do you stand? With the squad

or the man against the wall?

In every case

you find yourself standing against the wall.

-Louis Simpson

On Good Friday, Christians around the world contemplate the crucifixion of Christ. An odd thing if you think about it, especially considering that Christians also claim that Christ was raised from the dead. Why dwell on the death?

Death is real, and Christianity doesn't shy away from that (at least in principle.)The Louis Simpson poem above speaks to what Good Friday is all about. We don't look back on the crucifixion as something that happened 2000 years ago that we will someday reap some benefit from. We know Good Friday in the ways that humans live together. We know what it is to be blindfolded against the wall, and we know what is to be the executioner.

I hesitate to elaborate anymore as the poem is enough. However, I caution against seeing this is a moment only to consider the cross and wallow in our responsibility for it. Even more, know that God goes to the wall. Every time we are against the wall having lost it all, God is there. Even when we scapegoat others and become executioner, God is there. God knows.

Having been against the wall, Christ empowers us to tear it down. Maybe Good Friday isn't only about losing it all, but also about all the junk we cling to so tightly.