The In-Between Time

Today we are going to discuss the time between the crucifixion and the resurrection. Many people like to skip from one to the next without much thought for what happened in between. However, the in-between time is significant and necessary to our salvation.

Jesus was crucified, and buried on what we call Good Friday. At the time of His death, Jesus’ spirit decended to the place reserved for sinners: hell. Because He had taken on sin and had actually become sin, He had to go to the place where sinners go when they die. For Jesus to only die physically for us was not enough- He had to die spiritually as well. When Adam sinned, he died spiritually and his body began the process of death. For the effects of Adam’s sin to be reversed, Jesus had to die both physically and spirtually. And spiritual death means separation from God, which is experienced in its fullest in hell. That is why Jesus cried out to His Father about being forsaken by Him. When Jesus became sin, the Father had to separate Himself from Jesus. Jesus literally went to hell as our substitute so we would never have to experience it. There are a number of scriptures that point to Jesus’ time in hell, and I am including a few to support what I am telling you.

For You will not abandon me to Sheol (the place of the dead), neither will You suffer Your holy one [Holy One] to see corruption. Psalm 16:10 (Amplified Bible Classic Edition, AMPC)

For You will not abandon my soul to Hades, nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption. You have made known to me the ways of life; You will make me full of joy with Your presence.’ “Brothers, I may speak confidently to you concerning the patriarch David, that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day.  But being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of his seed according to the flesh, He would raise up the Christ to sit on his throne,  he foresaw this and spoke concerning the resurrection of the Christ, that His soul was not abandoned to Hades, nor did His flesh see corruption. Acts 2:27-31 (Modern English Version, MEV)

or who shall go down into hell? that is, to again-call Christ from death. Romans 10:7 (Wycliffe Bible, WYC)

Therefore He says: “When He ascended on high, He led captivity captive, And gave gifts to men.” (Now this, “He ascended”—what does it mean but that He also first descended into the lower parts of the earth?  He who descended is also the One who ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things.) Ephesians 4:8-10 (NKJV)

Our final scripture is from Revelation which speaks of Jesus having the keys of hell and death. The way to get the keys of hell and death is to go there and take them, therefore we know that Jesus went to hell.

I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death. Revelation 1:18 (KJV)

The King of kings not only died a horrible death, but He suffered more torture in hell than anyone did before Him or after Him. In taking on all the sin of mankind, Jesus had to pay the price for all sin. He had to experience the worst possible torture- horrors beyond anything we can ever imagine. Now, if that doesn’t make us humbled and genuinely grateful to Him, I don’t know what will.

Praise God for His great love!