On Good Friday, we remember the crucifixion of Jesus. Before we talk about what could possibly be good about this day, let’s read what may seem like a familiar passage: Luke 23:32-49.

Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals–one on his right, the other on his left.

Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.’ And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.

The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, ‘He saved others; let him save himself if he is God’s Messiah, the Chosen One.’ The soldiers also came up and mocked him. They offered him wine vinegar and said, ‘If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself.’

There was a written notice above him, which read: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS. One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: ‘Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!’

But the other criminal rebuked him. ‘Don’t you fear God,’ he said, ‘since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.’

Then he said, ‘Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.’ Jesus answered him, ‘Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.’

It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon, for the sun stopped thing. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two.

Jesus called out with a loud voice, ‘Father, into your hands I commit  my spirit.’ When he had said this, he breathed his last. The centurion, seeing what had happened, praised God and said, ‘Surely this was a righteous man.’

When all the people who had gathered to witness this sight saw what took place, they beat their breasts and went away. But all those who knew him, including the women who had followed him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things.

Let’s imagine what this day would have been like for the people watching this, it would not have felt like a good day. The beloved Messiah, the one that promised victory, is seen hanging on a cross, his body bloody, bruised, and lifeless.

But let’s look at the few people who did experience something good on this day. The two robber who was also crucified with Christ was promised paradise that day. After what was probably some difficult life circumstances and being crucified, he went to heaven and saw God in all his glory.

And what about the centurion? An authority figure who was happy to see Christ crucified realized his mistake. He praised God and admitted that Jesus was a righteous man.

We the Church looking back at the crucifixion after 2,000 years can see the good in this day. This was the day, this was the act that allowed Christ to save us.

But there’s also something to be said about actually experiencing that day. The sky went dark, victory seemed lost, there was no hope. That might be how many of us are feeling today, in a hopeless, dark world with no answers.

This is not what we expected and not what we hoped for. God, what are you doing here? There are so many questions. And even though we know that today is supposed to be “Good” Friday, we can also lament what seems wrong with this world.

After all, lamenting is not giving up hope, lamenting is crying out to God because God is the only one who can do something. If God can send his son to hang on a cross to save all of us, he can lift the pain and questions and sorrows of today.

Let us lament in the hope and knowledge that God will hear us today. After all, Sunday is coming.