Through Hell

October 8, 2017

“We used to say, ‘Come to church so you won’t go to hell.’ Now we say, ‘Come to church so you won’t go through hell.’” Four pastors were sitting around the table, talking, drinking coffee, and praying together. A Salvation Army Lieutenant, a Pentecostal Baptist, a United Methodist, and a Catholic priest. It was Father Dan who uttered those memorable words as we discussed the decay of the family and community and the tragic consequences in the lives of individuals. There is some truth in his words; people who build their lives around faith in Christ and a faith community tend to avoid much of the pain and suffering that are often intimate companions of people with no such connections. On the other hand, the Bible nowhere even remotely hints that the people of God are exempt from suffering. Just the reverse is true; Jesus said explicitly that those who live godly in him will suffer persecution, and that we should not be surprised when fiery trials come our way. It is not a very popular message.

What the Gospel does say is that when we go through suffering, Christ is with us. I preached this morning on that little phrase in the Apostle’s Creed that says Jesus “descended into hell.” Some modern versions of the Creed omit this phrase altogether, but it is there for a reason. 1 Peter 3:18-22 and Ephesians 4:7-12 provide the foundation for this phrase, although there is much scholarly debate as to exactly what is meant in these two texts. My own take on it is quite simple: However low a person has sunk, Jesus went lower to rescue him. We talk about the bad circumstances people encounter, often saying, “She is going through hell.” Jesus actually did, and according to Peter, proclaimed the Gospel even there, so there is no place in heaven above, or in the deepest hell where the Good News of redemption and rescue has not been heard.

I liken it to Jesus going deeper than we can ever sink so that as he was resurrected, he could grab us on his way back up and take us with him to sit in heavenly places. If you haven’t yet gone through a personal hell, sooner or later, you will. And when you do, Jesus is there, waiting to take you by the hand and lead you through the valley of the shadow of death and bring you into the light. I am thankful tonight that he went through hell for me, so when I descend into it for myself, I’ll not stay there; I’ll just go through it, and rise to new life with him. THAT is praiseworthy!