He Descended…
“…he descended in to hell…”
For many of us, this short phrase in the Apostle’s Creed is troublesome. The very idea that our Lord and Savior descended in to hell does not make much sense. If Jesus is truly the Son of God and is sinless, then why did he descend to the place of eternal punishment? What useful purpose could this serve?
In many denominations and congregations, this part of the Creed is omitted. Personally, I feel that is a mistake. Following Christ is never easy. Jesus himself told us that we would be challenged, persecuted, mocked, and ridiculed for his name’s sake (Luke 21:12). Sometimes that comes about by not being able to adequately explain or rationalize, tough aspects of what we believe.
So then, what does this little phrase say about our faith? How do we get it to make sense? For the most part, I would suggest we should not worry about it. Jesus gave us an answer for that situation. He said:
“This will give you an opportunity to testify. So make up your minds not to prepare your defense in advance; for I will give you words and a wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to withstand or contradict.”
-Luke 21:13-15 (NRSV)
As always, Scripture has to provide us with the first clue to our answer. I feel the passage above serves to give us the courage to not be afraid when we are asked to explain aspects of our faith.
Throughout the millennia, scholars and theologians have had many answers and opinions concerning this little phrase in the Creed. For some, it represents the time when Christ, gathered all the people of faith from the Old Testament and took them to heaven. For others, including John Calvin, this passage has another meaning.
Calvin felt that this phrase referred to something special in our relationship to Christ and Christ’s work on our behalf. And it is an action that expresses God’s love for us like no other.
In my own walk of faith, I have come to believe that God will ever abandon us. It is a fundamental part of Reformed Christianity to believe that God’s love never fails or falters. Paul wrote:
“No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
-Romans 8:37-39 (NRSV)
So then, how does this relate to the passage we are considering? Calvin suggested that the three days between Christ’s death on the cross and his resurrection were spent completely cut off from God. In other words, Christ paid the price we deserve for our sin for three days. And he did so, in order that we would not have to!
Almighty God, we give you thanks for the work of your Son. We praise and bless you for the price he paid for our sin and we seek you forgiveness, grace and mercy each day. May we always recall what you do for us and never forget your lace in our lives. Amen.
Podcast coming soon!!!
