In the world of political theater, Good Friday is a saga that rivals the most dramatic of our modern headlines. This is a day that sees despair pinned notoriously at the heart of a once hopeful story. Critics of contemporary culture might be surprised to learn that the essence of Good Friday stands stubbornly against the tide. Take a sermon by Alistair Begg—echoed by a post from Eric Anderson—as a prime reminder. It tells tales of a certain thief from long ago whose life took a sudden, unexpected detour to paradise under the most unlikely of circumstances.

The thief in question, often left unnamed except for some loose traditions, provided a no-frills narrative. One minute, he was a scoundrel on a cross, and the next, via no sterling merit of his own, he was promised a place in paradise. Imagine standing in celestial customs, and when asked why you’re there, the best you’ve got is, “Well, the man on the middle cross said I could come.” It’s a punchline graced with gravitas, guaranteed to leave a skeptical audience in awe.

This notion of despair on Good Friday holds a mirror up to today’s political climate. Despite apparent desolation, is it ever truly over? Our friends in blue would have you think despair is always at the doorstep. Society lurches forward in increasingly absurd directions, blinded by selective visions of progress while ignoring the proverbial gorilla in the room. It’s chaos wrapped in a costume, just like the thief’s plea for redemption. The ultimate gotcha moment was never about him but rather about the grace he received—a reminder to conservatives about enduring truths.

Those walking alongside issues tagged as “conservative concerns” know all too well the frailty of social fabrics. Precarious times make one overly aware of loose threads, yet still, we hold firm to traditions, evolving them into the face of change. Remember Edmund Burke who wisely championed innovation aligned with tradition. It’s about knowing when to move forward without dismantling the foundations that keep society upright. This balancing act is where hope finds its footing once despair has had its say.

So, here’s the jest: Despite the doom and gloom often heralded as the end of times, the jig isn’t up. Society undergoes metamorphosis, yes, but the core values—family, honor, responsibility—remain non-negotiable for those not starry-eyed by gimmicks of modern distractors. To women searching for fulfillment in paths they truly desire and men rediscovering valor and decency, realize despair is no more than ignorance wearing the mask of insight.

Good Friday, stark and bleak in its immediacy, slyly teaches us that life, much like those paramount conservative ideals, persists stubbornly. It’s a story of infinite second chances and unseen potential. The man on the middle cross, much like the center forces of conservatism, reminds us daily: There is always room for hope and eternity insists that our story continues.