“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46)
“[Jesus Christ] descended into hell.” (The Apostles’ Creed)
This line in the Apostles’ Creed is so challenging that some Christians leave it out alotogether. Nowhere in Scripture does it literally say Christ went to hell.
But I believe Christ did descend to hell - not the place of eternal fire, but to a God-forsaken place where he was absolutely separated from God. When he fully bore the weight of our sin on the cross, he went to hell.
When we separate ourselves from God’s love by our sin, we go to hell. If we are not set straight by the Spirit, this hell becomes not only a point along our journey, but our final destination.
The good news is Jesus Christ went through hell and wound up in heaven so that, by his grace, we could do the same.
He needed to experience the separation, to experience the human condition.
The Pistol fires back: Absolutely - part of the divine plan he willingly submitted to.
I like the way you explained this….thanks
Amen! That’s the horrible, beautiful, mysterious and remarkalbe truth of it….simply said…..Thanks be to God.
I kinda always think that there is heaven and hell on earth. Our choices and thought’s reflect as to which one we choose to be in. I choose God’s will for me. ( I’ve struggled knowing What that is I have to say). I pray asking for the guidance of his will for me.
Thank you.