Monday, May 26, 2014
1 Peter 3:19-21 He went and made a proclamation to the spirits in prison, who in former times did not obey, when God waited patiently in the days of Noah, during the building of the ark, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were saved through water. And baptism, which this prefigured, now saves you.
DESCENDED INTO HELL ... ASCENDED INTO HEAVEN
We live in a wicked world. Has Jesus really come out on top or are Satan and his evil hosts and all the unbelieving the real winners? At times it all seems in doubt. And this is why Jesus descended into hell for you -- so you can put away such ideas -- so you can see that He is stronger; so that you can see that the old Evil Foe has met his match for good and forever.
As believers we bear the seal of Satan's conqueror. Christ The Victor has baptized you. He has saved you from your sins through this precious water -- placing the seal of His own victory over hell upon you through the washing away of all your sins. In Him we too are conquerors. Through faith His victory is ours. We have joined in the triumphant march against the devil and his angels, and our lives have become part of that victory parade which will march right through death.
On September 3, 1945 aboard the U.S.S. Missouri the Japanese emperor Hirohito was forced to admit that he had been defeated by the allied powers in World War II. The battleship Missouri upon which this historic event took place was not anchored in New York harbor or even Pearl Harbor -- but in Tokyo harbor. For here is where Mighty Mo steamed to proclaim victory over the enemy -- into enemy territory itself. Could the humiliation for Hirohito been any more powerful that day? Could the evidence of the victorious allies been any more evident?
Praise be to our Lord and Savior, who proclaimed His own victory in enemy territory -- in hell itself -- so any and all doubts about His ability to keep His own safe in any circumstance would be shattered forever.
When Jesus returned to life in Joseph's tomb no one was there to observe this certification of His victory over death on our behalf. So, to make this public He appeared to His disciples numerous times.
When Jesus descended into hell there were also no eye witnesses on hand to report to us this event that makes so plain Jesus' victory over our ancient enemy, the old Evil Foe. So He ascended into heaven in full view of His disciples.
He whose path no records tell hath descended into hell.
He the strong man armed hath bound and in highest heaven is crowned.
(The Lutheran Hymnal, 190:4)
