Verse
For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit.
— 1 Peter 3:18 NIV
Thought
I will confess that this is one of the most challenging and difficult passages in all the Bible for me when I look at the whole context. What I take out of this, however, is that while Jesus' body died, his spirit — or better yet, his spirit and the Holy Spirit within him — never died. Jesus faced the forces of hell on hell's home turf and came back victorious from this spiritual battle (Ephesians 4:7-9; Acts 2:24; Romans 6:9). Jesus was raised up to a new bodily existence, having conquered death and giving us a living hope (1 Peter 1:3). The significance of his resurrection is incredible. He is the first fruits of those to be raised from the dead, ensuring that we will be raised, too (1 Corinthians 15:20-23; Romans 6:4-5). The power that raised Jesus from the dead, the Holy Spirit, is at work in us now (Ephesians 1:17-20). The Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead will give life to our mortal bodies (Romans 8:10-11). As the old song says, "Death cannot keep its prey, Jesus my Savior; he tore the bars away, Jesus my Lord!"
Prayer
O Father, words cannot adequately proclaim the joy and confidence I have about my future because of Jesus' resurrection from the dead. Lord Jesus, as you intercede for me in this prayer, please know my deepest appreciation for your sacrifice and your conquest of hell through your death and resurrection. Father, please strengthen me and empower me to live for you. I pray this in the name of Jesus, my Lord. Amen.
Devotional provided by Heartlight®
© 1996-2017. All rights reserved.
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For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit.
— 1 Peter 3:18 NIV
Thought
I will confess that this is one of the most challenging and difficult passages in all the Bible for me when I look at the whole context. What I take out of this, however, is that while Jesus' body died, his spirit — or better yet, his spirit and the Holy Spirit within him — never died. Jesus faced the forces of hell on hell's home turf and came back victorious from this spiritual battle (Ephesians 4:7-9; Acts 2:24; Romans 6:9). Jesus was raised up to a new bodily existence, having conquered death and giving us a living hope (1 Peter 1:3). The significance of his resurrection is incredible. He is the first fruits of those to be raised from the dead, ensuring that we will be raised, too (1 Corinthians 15:20-23; Romans 6:4-5). The power that raised Jesus from the dead, the Holy Spirit, is at work in us now (Ephesians 1:17-20). The Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead will give life to our mortal bodies (Romans 8:10-11). As the old song says, "Death cannot keep its prey, Jesus my Savior; he tore the bars away, Jesus my Lord!"
Prayer
O Father, words cannot adequately proclaim the joy and confidence I have about my future because of Jesus' resurrection from the dead. Lord Jesus, as you intercede for me in this prayer, please know my deepest appreciation for your sacrifice and your conquest of hell through your death and resurrection. Father, please strengthen me and empower me to live for you. I pray this in the name of Jesus, my Lord. Amen.
Devotional provided by Heartlight®
© 1996-2017. All rights reserved.
