Perhaps it makes sense to state the obvious right up front. Here we are, gathered on this well-known day in the church year, Good Friday. This is the one day where the main thought on our minds is Jesus' death, the cross, his suffering and crucifixion. It's the day we Christians, near the end of Lent, and wearied by the 40 days of penitence, fasting, and self-denial, screw up our courage to stare right into the face of death.

And doubly so today. For N. whom we have known and loved has died. Does Good Friday have anything to say to us about the death of our friend and loved one? I believe it does.

You will remember that Jesus was not the only person who died on that first Good Friday. Luke tells us that two criminals were hung with Jesus, one to his right, and one to his left. One of the cri…