In the Creed we confess: I believe in Jesus Christ who descended into Hell. Most people do not understand this article of faith. Most people question it: When did He go there? Did His body go too? How could Jesus go to Hell if He told the thief on the cross that he would be in paradise with Jesus? And on and on. Never you mind those silly questions. Somewhere between His death and His resurrection from the dead, our Lord Jesus, true God and true man, in body and soul went to Hell. This is what the Scriptures teach when they tell us that He who ascended into the heavens, also descended into the lower parts of the earth. Also the Apostle says that Christ went to preach to the spirits in prison. Why does Christ go to Hell? Let us remember what Hell is. It is the place of punishment reserved for the devil and his angels. It is Satan's kingdom, for now. From there Satan roams about the earth like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour. From there he sends his demons into the world to rule it and influence it. From there his angels go forth, pretending to be real preachers but leading people down to hell. The power of hell is great upon this earth because the Father of Lies is busy sowing his lies all around the world. He has done this work since the days of Adam and Eve, prowling around trying to get people to stop listening to God's Word, to not believe God's Word, to despair of God's mercy and grace. In short, the Devil's work is to drag us down also to his place of torment and misery! So Christ goes to Hell to put a stop to that!
When Christ goes to Hell, He does not go to suffer. Remember His words on the cross: “It is finished!” The price for sins has been paid. The blood has been shed. The death has taken place. The Lord's work for sinners is completed on the cross because on that cross He gives His life under God's judgment for our sins. Now, sins have no more power! They are defeated! Therefore the Devil has nothing to accuse us of. When Christ goes down to Hell, He goes to announce His victory. He goes to shatter Hell and send its inhabitants running for cover! For in Hell, Christ shines forth with His glory and Word that the sins of the world have been paid for! Hell has lost its power. In the Book of Revelation, we see the picture of Jesus descending into hell and slapping a big ol' chain on Satan. He binds Satan so that his power and reach are less. Now Satan is just a dog that barks loudly but can't reach you because of his tight leash. Christ has conquered and has made known His victory to the devil and hell. Hell now has no power over you. As Christ says of it: “The gates of hell shall not overpower my church.”
So Christ has conquered sin and death and He has gone to Hell as the conquering invader, tied up Satan and destroyed his kingdom. But the Devil is not all the way done. Even on his leash he can work much wickedness. So we cling to Christ's word delivered to us in His church. In the church we live in the shelter of Christ and His victory over the devil and the gates of hell cannot prevail against us. In Holy Baptism, the Word and Name of the Triune God drives Satan out and rescues you from his kingdom and brings you into God's kingdom. Every speaking of Holy Absolution is a decree and verdict rendered against the devil and your sins and for Christ and His victory over death. When you receive His Supper, you are given the very flesh and blood that has been to hell and back and has triumphed over sin, death, devil and Hell. In the church, which Hell itself cannot overcome, the holy means of grace are your pledge and promise from Jesus that the Devil cannot hurt you; he cannot accuse you; he cannot have you. You are the Lord's! This is what Jesus' descent into Hell is all about: telling the Devil that He cannot have you. You are no longer the Devil's slave. You are the Lord's child and nothing can snatch you out of Jesus' hand. Baptism, Absolution, and Supper say it is so! When the Devil comes whispering to you to frighten and terrify you, just hold before him these holy gifts and he will flee with his tail between his legs because the font, pulpit and altar will remind him of what was announced to him on the day our Lord visited Hell and shut him down!
On this last Sabbath Saturday, Jesus' body lay in the tomb. Thus all the graves of His people are sanctified. Death is for us now but a sleep. Our Lord has accomplished our salvation and harrowed Hell and announced His victory, knocked down its gates and bound Satan. Have no fear now dear Christian, for the Lord who sleeps in the grave has rescued you from all evil. Tomorrow He shall rise and there is your further proof that sins are paid for and that you too will have eternal life in Jesus. Amen.