Hi Church, 

The cinematic success of Steven Spielberg’s Jaws is owed, in some part, to a mistake. The original intention was that the villainous shark, affectionately named Bruce, would be on full display throughout the movie. However, the animatronic figure was less than satisfactory. Full view of it would provoke not so much the desired shrieks but incredulous guffaws. 

Adapting to this reality, Spielberg shot most of the movie with the shark at least partially obscured, hidden from full view. This hidden quality became the blockbuster’s “special sauce.” The unseen or partially seen shark took on near mythic proportion in filmgoers’ minds, adding to the mystery and thrill. That which was unseen and hidden loomed large, gaining purchase in the viewers’ imaginations. 

This church season, you have likely noticed that the crosses are covered by veils. In Lent, this is a common practice. What is usually prominently displayed is hidden and obscured. One intention behind this is that the cross and its glory loom large in our hearts and minds this season. The veiled crosses serve as a reminder of how Jesus’ glory was hidden in humanity through incarnation, and through humility in his journey to the cross and crucifixion. We veil the cross in this season so that our sense of Jesus’ glory would grow.

Additionally, veils are ultimately meant to be removed. Learning from the success of Jaws, many others films have similarly built toward a grand reveal in their climax, when the creature is fully and finally displayed in all its glory. In the same way, the veils upon the cross will be removed for Resurrection Sunday, the climax of the this season, as we celebrate the glory of God revealed in Jesus’ resurrection. We physically commemorate how the veil was torn through Jesus’ victory, opening the way for reconciliation with God among all people. We rejoice in the certain hope that one day we will see the grand revelation of God’s glory with unveiled faces. Until then, we eagerly wait, reveling in the veiled glimpses we have now (the veils obscure the cross but don’t render it invisible), and longing for more. 

Waiting and longing for glory with you, 

Peter+