February 20, 2018 Tuesday

“For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit, by whom also He went and preached to the spirits in prison, who formerly were disobedient, when once the Divine longsuffering waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight souls, were saved through water. There is also an antitype which now saves us — baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, angels and authorities and powers having been made subject to Him.” (1Peter 3:18-22 NKJV)

            In an older version of the Apostle’s Creed there is an additional line which comes from this verse.  Some may not see the importance of this line or this passage but notice the importance in that not only is this mentioned but it is compared to a momentous act of grace.

“by whom also He went and preached to the spirits in prison, who formerly were disobedient,”

            This verse makes the startling statement that Jesus descended into hell to preach the Good News to those who are imprisoned by their sin in hell.  Some in the Church have thought this verse means people who are in jail but it is obvious by the rest of the verse this is more than that.

            God showed an amazing “divine longsuffering” as Jesus came to us to offer us hope and redemption.  Jesus came to a world that from the very first saw Him as a threat and attempted to kill Him. 

            Why would Jesus go to hell to preach the Good News?  Maybe because they lived before the coming of Jesus and therefore had not received the opportunity to hear the Good News and experience God’s glory and love. 

            Why do you think Jesus went to hell during His time in the tomb?  What could Jesus hope to gain?  How do you think you respond if Jesus shared the Good News with you?

                     

            Today was a terrible day!  My feet hurt terribly and made it almost impossible to walk.  I spent most of the day in bed trying to deal with the pain.  Bonnie took a day and went to Cades Cove and came back tired but renewed.  Rebecca and I had supper together and watched a movie together.  I slept well with the new machine.