Monday, October 13, 2008

One Eye Closed

Today's Daily Soap {Scripture | Observation | Application | Prayer}
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    Hell Fire
  • S: Dear friends, let me be completely frank with you. Our ancestor David is dead and buried—his tomb is in plain sight today. But being also a prophet and knowing that God had solemnly sworn that a descendant of his would rule his kingdom, seeing far ahead, he talked of the resurrection of the Messiah—'no trip to Hades, no stench of death.' This Jesus, God raised up. And every one of us here is a witness to it. Then, raised to the heights at the right hand of God and receiving the promise of the Holy Spirit from the Father, he poured out the Spirit he had just received. That is what you see and hear. For David himself did not ascend to heaven, but he did say, God said to my Master, "Sit at my right hand Until I make your enemies a stool for resting your feet." "All Israel, then, know this: There's no longer room for doubt—God made him Master and Messiah, this Jesus whom you killed on a cross." Acts 2:29-36 [MSG]
  • O: Christ knows Hell from the standpoint of Creator.
  • A: There has been debate among Biblical scholars about where Christ went during His three days in the tomb between His crucifixion and resurrection. I'm not one to claim to be a Biblical scholar. I can offer only my viewpoint (or, if you prefer, my opinion). Some have suggested that Christ might have made a trip to Hell during those three days. The book of Acts seems to refute that, saying that Christ "was not abandoned to the grave." [NIV] As He was indeed in a grave -- or tomb -- the term "grave" in this passage is likely in reference to the eternal grave of Hell. It stands to reason, therefore -- to my finite mind, at least -- that Christ did not taste of Hell. But what, then? Heaven? When He would be ascending to Heaven shortly after His resurrection, I think that is unlikely. I ask you this: why did Christ have to go anywhere during His three days in the tomb? Or better yet, why couldn't Christ be everywhere during those three days? As God in the flesh, Christ is one part of a triune God. God is omnipresent -- everywhere all the time. Christ, then, must be omnipresent, too. Close your right eye, and you're still here and can still see through the left eye. God in the flesh while in the tomb -- in my opinion -- was still everywhere in the form of God the Father. Just because a body lied in a tomb doesn't mean something had to happen to Christ during that time. As He is God, I believe there was no change to Him. With one eye closed, our God was still in control.
  • P: Father, the very Being that is You is a wonder. How You came to earth and died for my sins, yet never lost control of Your creation. You are truly and Almighty God.
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