Today is a day of paradox. On the day we remember Jesus' death, we proclaim that this day is good. On a day when we recall God's Son suffering on a cross, we see this cross as a source of life. On a day during the first week of Spring, when new life surrounds us, we gather around Jesus' death. On this Friday, it seems contradictory to call today good. 

But the church does declare today good. By calling today Good Friday, we're not saying that Jesus' death is a "good" thing. We're not saying that the death he experienced is something to emulate or be proud of. We're not making a value judgement that gives support for what the Romans did. Instead, we acknowledge something fundamental to our faith: that Jesus, God's Son, lived a complete human life. 

Death is scary. Death is an idea and a concept that we try to run away from. But God never runs from what's scary or frightening. Jesus went to the cross, and even then, forgiving others for what they are doing. We gather tonight to remember our baptism. We are bound, connected, and united with this Jesus who died a terrible death. And we are bound, connected, and united with this Jesus who will rise in just three days.

Even on Good Friday, we are still a people of the resurrection. Even in the face of death, we still proclaim hope. The hope isn't that our lives will always be like they are now. Our hope is that, even in death, we will always be close to God, the source of life. Tonight, we gather at the foot of the cross because we know that Easter will come and even death doesn't, in the end, overcome.