Giving youth pastors the tools they need to make and shape disciples.

Praying The Apostles Creed: Part 5: Suffered, Crucified, Descended

4 · 22 · 15

Simon_ushakov_last_supper_1685

If you are wanting to read these posts from the beginning, you can start here.

Suffered under Pontius Pilate; was crucified, dead and buried: He descended into hell

Suffered, crucified, descended. Sounds pretty active for man in extreme conditions. We should also add forgiving (while on the cross), affirming (John and His mother), and praying (to God His father). Even under duress the Son of God was spiritually in motion. Why is it that when I suffer I go into an emotional coma? I don’t want to talk to anyone let alone pray, affirm, or forgive.

Jesus suffered under someone. Not Satan, but Pilate. Jesus’ suffering was linked to a human being. As much as Pilate tried to wash his hands of Christ’s blood, history would not let his part in Christs death simply fade away. Maybe we should name the source of our suffering so we can move on through the process and get to the descending and key taking.

Dead and buried. This creed is factual if not stark. It recognizes that Jesus did die and He was buried. It was over. It’s like when you or  I build up a story and emphasis the finality of a situation so as to make the punchline that more epic. Nothing, in my opinion, is more epic than dead and buried followed by descended into hell.

We were dead and buried until Christ brought us back to life. We were done, over, finished. Satan, and a few people, have told me that. I’m glad Jesus did not listen to them.

Shortly after dying Jesus went on one more mission, to hell. He went there to take the keys to hell, death, and the grave away from Satan. He pulled the lions teeth so we could live without fear.

Scripture

Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because whoever suffers in the body is done with sin.  I Peter 4;1

So Joseph bought some linen cloth, took down the body, wrapped it in the linen, and placed it in a tomb cut out of rock. Then he rolled a stone against the entrance of the tomb. Mark 15:46

And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross. Colossians 2:15

Prayer

Lord, this life is filled with waves of emotional, physical, and spiritual suffering.  I know you are with me in my suffering and because of that I have confidence that my suffering is not in vain. My suffering is making me more like You. I was dead and buried and you brought be back to life. You took the keys of death, hell, and the grave away from Satan. I have no fear because you secured by eternity. Thank you Father for the journey and the victory.

Amen.

 

 

Related Posts

What If Your Youth Ministry Didn’t Exist?

If the past is hanging over your head and giving you the blahs, consider this question, “What If Your Youth Ministry Didn’t Exist?” Who would not have been ministered to? Who would not have been reached? Who would not have been prayed for? Who...

read more