SATURDAY: JESUS WENT TO HELL
Suggested Reading: Matthew 25.31-46; Mark 15.42-47
Jesus' body was laid in a tomb, and then he went to hell. This is by far the most curious claim of the Apostles Creed, which is an early statement of Christian belief that has endured for centuries (read it here). And this claim brings us right to the doorstep of a conversation that, for many, lies at the center of the Christian faith. I'm speaking, of course, of heaven and hell.
How one thinks about heaven, hell, eternity and the destiny of human beings is an often inflammatory topic filled with disagreement. And one of the central discussion points about heaven and hell is around who goes where. Better stated as a question about heaven, “Who gets in?” And I think this question will forever be one that will be debated for many reasons.
I have often said the question we will hear most in heaven is the question, “Where is so-and-so?” Or maybe the question we will hear more often is, “How did they get in here?”
We may feel comfortable raising discussion around the first question, “Where is so-and-so?” We confidently point to Jesus' saying, “I never knew you. Away from me!” (Matthew 7.23) We see these words as a warning. I've sat through many sermons in which I was challenged to consider the implications of these words.
But the second question of, “How did they get in here?” seems to be more difficult. In my experience, those who believe they will end up in heaven do not like to consider who else may possibly be there - far from it! For some reason we seem more comfortable making absolutist statements about who will most certainly be consigned to hell. But we if we are to interact with the first question, we must also interact with this second question as well.
Let's not forget, central to the Christian faith is the person of Jesus. It is widely accepted that belief in Jesus is necessary for salvation and life in heaven. This, many claim, is the narrow gate and the narrow road the lead to life. The confusion comes in when many live as though they have happened upon thee narrow road and thee narrow gate. But what do we do when different groups within Christendom claim to be on the narrow road, and the narrow roads are different. Who is right?
Some speak confidently about the narrow road and believe their way is true. Others, while describing a similar road, are insistent on certain core essentials that make their road more narrow. Others have a road that is perhaps a bit wider and are considered, by some, to be too generous. So which road does one need to be on and which gate should we enter through?
Are there certain things that we absolutely have to be right about in order to get in? Is there only one thing? And if there is only one thing, then exactly what are we supposed to believe about it? Are there other things you can be wrong about and still get in? If so, what are the right things to be wrong about?
This can all get confusing quite quickly. But for many believing the right thing is central in determining one’s entrance into heaven or descent into hell. It's possible this may be shortsighted.
God is not going to ask all humans who have ever lived for an eight, ten, or even fifteen point doctrinal statement when we stand before him someday. We have to recognize that all of us, even the most brilliant scholars, theologians, and philosophers are wrong about a lot. In light of the universe we inhabit we struggle to truly see the tips of our noses.
Maybe a good starting point for all of us is to be honest about how little we know.
To make heaven and hell about a particular set of beliefs, what one knows, what we should know, a doctrine, or the way we think is to ever so slightly move the conversation away from the real miracle – that God in the person of Jesus came to any of us in the first place. The only reason any of us are able to have this conversation, write books about this subject or write blogs in reflection is because of the goodness, faithfulness, mercy, grace and love of God. He is the reason anyone will dwell with him in the life to come.
Who are we to make the road narrower? Who are we to guard the gate to eternal life? We ought to very careful we do not become guilty of shutting "the door of the kingdom of heaven in people’s faces." Jesus had harsh words for those who did that, and pointed to the fact that those who do don't enter the Kingdom of Heaven, and asks them how they will “escape being condemned to hell” (See Matthew 23).
Many seem very comfortable drawing clear boundaries around who is “in” and who is not. What’s interesting is every religious person draws those boundaries based on the belief they are "in." Maybe this should tell us something about the way we view ourselves, those who are not like us, the world, and the life to come.
In approaching conversations of heaven and hell we must always remember how far God has gone to reach out to humanity. He is one who came to us, was obedient to death and even descended into hell. Who’s to draw boundaries for how far he continues to go in our world today?
Who knows, maybe the thing we will hear the most in heaven is, “Wow, there are a lot more people than I ever imagined.”