18 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous
for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the
flesh but made alive in the spirit, 19 in which he went and proclaimed to the
spirits in prison.
January 12, 1946 saw one of the grandest parades in
American history. It was held in New York City to celebrate the end of World
War II. The parade was led by 13,000 men of the 82nd Airborne Division who were
followed by tanks and other armored vehicles. The parade was reported to have
been four miles long with more than two and a half million people in
attendance. Ticker tape showered down on the soldiers and spectators as
everyone celebrated the defeat of the Axis powers. It was a victory worth
celebrating!
Jesus once had a victory parade too. He paraded, not
through New York City, but through hell! It’s true. God’s Word recorded by the
apostle Peter tells us that after Jesus died for the sins of the world and rose
from the grave, he went to hell and announced his victory. He had done it! He
had defeated sin, death and the devil! And because he did, his victory is also
YOUR victory. Your sins can no longer condemn you. Your death cannot hold you.
And the devil has no power over you.
Christians have confessed this comforting truth for
hundreds of years. The Apostles’ Creed states that Jesus descended into hell.
The next time you confess this creed, take comfort that he did. And let your
life be a celebration of Jesus’ victory!
Dear Lord, we thank You for the victory you made possible
for us over death and our sin. We thank You that You paid the debt for our sin.
In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment