Christ Between the Cross and the Resurrection
John 19:28-42
Where did Jesus go when He died? This has been one of the most debated theological issues throughout church history, especially in light of the Apostles' Creed, which states “he descended to hell” after the cross. What are we to make of this statement? Did Jesus suffer in hell for three days? Was it during this time that He went and made proclamations to imprisoned spirits from the days of Noah (1 Peter 3:19)? Is this just a description of His suffering upon the cross? Or is this just speaking to the fact that He truly died?
I think we can get a better idea of what is being communicated here when we understand the phrase can be translated “He descended into the place of the dead.” Based on this translation, I tend to think that this is just referring to His physical death. Though it is debated whether the original authors of the creed intended this meaning, it is the one that best aligns with the biblical data.
During the time between the cross and resurrection Sunday, Jesus truly was bodily dead. Yet, I think it is best to believe that His spirit was with the Father in heaven, awaiting His reunification with His renewed heavenly body.
Three Biblical Proofs for Paradise
Let me back this up with a few points. First, on the cross Jesus states to the thief beside Him that “today you shall be with Me in Paradise” (Luke 23:43). In Luke and Acts, the word for today (σήμερον in the Greek) always speaks about events happening the same day (e.g., 2:11, 4:21, 5:26).
Second, when Jesus cries out upon the cross “it is finished” (John 19:30), this speaks to the finishing of His atoning suffering upon the cross, thus making additional suffering after His death unnecessary.
Third, 1 Peter 3:18 states that it was after He was “made alive in the Spirit” that His proclamation to the imprisoned spirits took place, thus it is not relevant to our discussion since this activity succeeds His resurrection.
Comfort in the "Already, But Not Yet"
Why should the fact that Christ was with the Father be comforting to us? Because we too are in a state of existence where our salvation has been accomplished, and yet we still have not experienced the fullness of what that redemption is bringing about.
Because of Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection we too are seated in the heavens with Christ (Ephesians 2:6), and yet we still have to live in a world groaning for redemption (Romans 8:22) while struggling against this body of death in which we currently reside (Romans 7:24).
From Hopeless Saturday to Holy Saturday
Too often we can behave like the disciples probably did on Holy Saturday, as if all is lost because our problems and our sin give our lives the appearance of hopelessness. I mean, at least the disciples had the excuse that Jesus was still physically in the grave. We, on the other hand, just act like He is still there.
But like them, we should know better. Because Jesus rose again, we know that we too will rise in victory over sin and death (1 Corinthians 15:23). Because Jesus rose again, we know that our loved ones who knew Christ, who are dead like Jesus was on Saturday, are with Him now and will rise one day just like He did on Easter Sunday. When you visit them next, know you are visiting a grave that is just waiting to be emptied.
Because Jesus rose again, we are not trapped in our sin, because we can have confident hope of progressive victory over it in this life, and total victory in the next (Romans 8:1–11). There is a reason we call today Holy Saturday and not Hopeless Saturday. Because Jesus rose again!
I think we can get a better idea of what is being communicated here when we understand the phrase can be translated “He descended into the place of the dead.” Based on this translation, I tend to think that this is just referring to His physical death. Though it is debated whether the original authors of the creed intended this meaning, it is the one that best aligns with the biblical data.
During the time between the cross and resurrection Sunday, Jesus truly was bodily dead. Yet, I think it is best to believe that His spirit was with the Father in heaven, awaiting His reunification with His renewed heavenly body.
Three Biblical Proofs for Paradise
Let me back this up with a few points. First, on the cross Jesus states to the thief beside Him that “today you shall be with Me in Paradise” (Luke 23:43). In Luke and Acts, the word for today (σήμερον in the Greek) always speaks about events happening the same day (e.g., 2:11, 4:21, 5:26).
Second, when Jesus cries out upon the cross “it is finished” (John 19:30), this speaks to the finishing of His atoning suffering upon the cross, thus making additional suffering after His death unnecessary.
Third, 1 Peter 3:18 states that it was after He was “made alive in the Spirit” that His proclamation to the imprisoned spirits took place, thus it is not relevant to our discussion since this activity succeeds His resurrection.
Comfort in the "Already, But Not Yet"
Why should the fact that Christ was with the Father be comforting to us? Because we too are in a state of existence where our salvation has been accomplished, and yet we still have not experienced the fullness of what that redemption is bringing about.
Because of Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection we too are seated in the heavens with Christ (Ephesians 2:6), and yet we still have to live in a world groaning for redemption (Romans 8:22) while struggling against this body of death in which we currently reside (Romans 7:24).
From Hopeless Saturday to Holy Saturday
Too often we can behave like the disciples probably did on Holy Saturday, as if all is lost because our problems and our sin give our lives the appearance of hopelessness. I mean, at least the disciples had the excuse that Jesus was still physically in the grave. We, on the other hand, just act like He is still there.
But like them, we should know better. Because Jesus rose again, we know that we too will rise in victory over sin and death (1 Corinthians 15:23). Because Jesus rose again, we know that our loved ones who knew Christ, who are dead like Jesus was on Saturday, are with Him now and will rise one day just like He did on Easter Sunday. When you visit them next, know you are visiting a grave that is just waiting to be emptied.
Because Jesus rose again, we are not trapped in our sin, because we can have confident hope of progressive victory over it in this life, and total victory in the next (Romans 8:1–11). There is a reason we call today Holy Saturday and not Hopeless Saturday. Because Jesus rose again!
Prayer: Father, we pray that You would prepare our hearts this Holy Saturday for our gathering on Sunday. We thank You for both the atoning work of Christ on Friday and His vindicating resurrection on Sunday. Remind us that, although we are not yet all that His work has purchased, we can know that one day we will be. Remind us that right now Christ lives to bring about this reality (how much more will we be saved by this life! – Romans 5:10). Already, You have made us new, but not yet are all things made new. Let us not grow weary of doing good, and let us be a holy, not hopeless, people. In the holy Name of Jesus we pray, Amen.
Song: “Is He Worthy” Andrew Peterson