He descended into hell...
Matthew 27:57-60
57 When it was evening, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who was also a disciple of Jesus. 58 He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus; then Pilate ordered it to be given to him. 59 So Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a clean linen cloth 60 and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn in the rock. He then rolled a great stone to the door of the tomb and went away.
We say it whenever we affirm our faith with the Apostles Creed. He descended into hell. Why? Perhaps to redeem the souls of the dead. Perhaps to complete the human experience. Perhaps to fulfill the scripture. Today, Holy Saturday, I wonder if it really matters why. Jesus did this for each one of us. Perhaps the best prayer for today is acceptance that Jesus did this for us because he loves us as children of God.
Lord Jesus Christ,
who stretched our your arms of love in the hard wood of the cross
that everyone might come within the reach of your saving embrace :
So clothe us in your Spirit that we,
reaching forth our hands in love,
may bring those who live in tombs of darkness to knowledge and love
of our blessed freedom won for us
through Jesus Christ to whom be all honor and glory and dominion
now and forever.
AMEN
