Morning Manna for today, Many Christians worldwide observe Holy Saturday by remembering it as the day when Jesus lay in the tomb. It is a day of both sadness and joy among Christians in many cultures. Many churches hold an Easter vigil (watch) service. Discussions about the meaning behind the rituals, prayer and symbols that are all part of the Easter vigil occur during these services. Some churches also hold large baptism services on this day. 1 Peter 3:18-19 states, For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit, through whom also he went and preached to the spirits in prison. The phrase, by the Spirit, in verse 18 is exactly the same construction as the phrase, in the flesh. So it seems best to relate the word spirit to the same realm as the word flesh. The flesh and spirit are Christs flesh and spirit. The words made alive by (in) the spirit point to the fact that Christs sin-bearing and death brought about the separation of His human spirit from the Father (Matthew 27:46). The contrast is between flesh and spirit, as in Matthew 27:46 and Romans 1:3-4, and not between Christs flesh and the Holy Spirit. When Christs atonement for sin was completed, His spirit restored the fellowship which had been broken. First Peter 3:18-22 describes a necessary link between Christs suffering (verse 18) and His glorification (verse 22). Only Peter gives specific information about what happened between these two events. The word preached in verse 19 is not the usual word in the New Testament to describe the preaching of the gospel. It literally means to herald a message. Jesus suffered and died on the Cross, His body being put to death, and His spirit died when He was made sin. But His spirit was made alive and He yielded it to the Father. According to Peter, sometime between His death and His resurrection Jesus made a special proclamation to the spirits in prison. Sheol/hades is a realm with two divisions (Matthew 11:23, 16:18; Luke 10:15, 16:23; Acts 2:27-31), the abodes of the saved and the lost. The abode of the saved was called “paradise” and “Abrahams bosom.” The abodes of the saved and the lost are separated by a “great chasm” (Luke 16:26). When Jesus ascended to heaven, He took the occupants of paradise (believers) with Him (Ephesians 4:8-10). The lost side of sheol/hades has remained unchanged. All unbelieving dead go there awaiting their final judgment in the future. Did Jesus go to sheol/hades? Yes, according to Ephesians 4:8-10 and 1 Peter 3:18-20. When Jesus cried upon the cross, “Oh, Father, why have you forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46), it was then that He was separated from the Father because of the sin poured out upon Him. As He gave up His spirit, He said, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit” (Luke 23:46). His suffering in our place was completed. The payment for sin was paid. He then awaited the resurrection of His body and His return to glory in His ascension. Thank God for Jesus and the decent before the ascent. Be blessed, Be encouraged and Be willing! Elder Kevin L, Dorris zz
Posted on: Sat, 19 Apr 2014 13:28:11 +0000
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