The Power Of The Cross

Where did Jesus suffer? When it comes to the SUFFERING of Christ, learn to place your emphasis on where scriptures emphasized! Jesus suffering was mainly at the CROSS…and not at hell! In fact, There is NO VERSE that says Jesus went to hell to suffer. (Please note I never said Jesus didn’t visit hades. I only said he never went there to suffer).

On the cross, He went through 3 solid hours of judgment.  At this time frame, darkness covered the whole earth. (Mark 15:33) He came out of the torment yelling: ‘my God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me’! (Mark 15:34) The forsaking happened on the cross! A necessary action to drink up the wrath and judgment of your sinfulness once and for all! (Matt 26:39, Rev 14:20)

And after the trauma, He handed over His Spirit to God (Luke 23:46)… and proclaimed boldly, IT IS FINISHED! (John 19:30)

Never you make light of the cross of Jesus Christ! That is where the SUFFERING of Christ happened ….NOT HELL! Be as emphatic as the Epistles!!!

‘…but to preach the gospel – not with (human) wisdom and eloquence, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power…’ (1Cor 1:17)

Did you see that the cross carries POWER!!! Don’t be guilty of emptying the Cross of Christ of its POWER!!! Why will Paul describe some folks as those ‘…whose conduct shows they are really enemies of the CROSS OF CHRIST…’ (Phil 3:18) See constant emphasis on the CROSS!

I love Paul’s words in 1Cor 2:2

‘…For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him CRUCIFIED…’

…not and Him in hell… Stay with scriptures! In correcting the Galatians from the error of Judaism, Paul said: ‘…Those who desire to make a good showing in the flesh try to compel you to be circumcised, simply so that they will not be persecuted for THE CROSS OF CHRIST…’ (Gal 6:12)

The constant emphasis on the CROSS connotes the high significance it carries concerning our salvation! Your SPIRITUAL death as a believer happened AT THE CROSS…not in hell!

‘…I have been CRUCIFIED with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me…’ (Gal 2:20)

‘…Those who belong to Christ Jesus have NAILED the passions and desires of their sinful nature TO HIS CROSS and crucified them there…’ (Gal 5:24)

Nailed. His Cross. In fact, the Bible says it was via the deal done at the cross that God reconciled all things to Himself:

‘…and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, SHED ON THE CROSS…’ (Col 1:20)

The Cross! The Cross!! The Cross!!! Let the gospel of the CROSS be POWER of God to you!

‘…For the preaching of THE CROSS is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the POWER of God…’ (1Cor 1:18)

Any teaching that suggests Jesus going to hell to suffer is highly unbiblical and will take a great deal of Bible editing to survive. Stay with Scriptures. Exalt the events of the cross as where your sin punishment took place….for that is where it took place! After His death, He descended NOT TO SUFFER….but to lead a host of captive in ascension.

‘…Wherefore he saith, “When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive and he gave gifts to men.” In saying, “He ascended,” what does it mean but that he had also descended into the lower regions, the earth?’ (Eph 4:8-9)

Stay with scriptures! And even when it was mentioned that He visited the prison in Hades, it was to HERALD A MESSAGE to the spirits there!

‘…He was put to death in the body but made ALIVE in the Spirit. After being made alive, he went and MADE PROCLAMATION to the imprisoned spirits— to those who were disobedient long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built…’ (1Pet 3:19-20)

There is absolutely no verse in scriptures that even suggested He went to hell to suffer. The full payment for your sins was on THE cross…while His resurrection was an open show that you are now totally JUSTIFIED!

‘…He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our JUSTIFICATION…’ (Romans 4:25)

God raised Him from the dead to avert his body from seeing corruption! (Acts 13:36-37) Hallelujah. Once you make light of the cross of Christ, you are treading a wrong path in the handling of the word of God. Exalt the cross of Christ as shown in Scriptures….and be certain you are an able minister of the New Covenant.

‘…But as for me, may I NEVER boast, except in the CROSS OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world…’ (Gal 6:14)

Amen.