Passion Week - Saturday (Where was Jesus?)

The body of Jesus was laid in the tomb and rock was placed in front, but it wasn't sealed as of yet. Here comes the Jewish leaders requesting more from Pilate in Matthew 27:62-64

The next day (which is after the day of preparation) the chief priests and the Pharisees assembled before Pilate and said, “Sir, we remember that while that deceiver was still alive he said, ‘After three days I will rise again.’ So give orders to secure the tomb until the third day. Otherwise his disciples may come and steal his body and say to the people, ‘He has been raised from the dead,’ and the last deception will be worse than the first.”

The Pharisees did in fact push that theory in the coming days in which the disciples stole the body, but that would have meant overpowering skilled Roman soldiers who were guarding the tomb. Not a chance!

At any rate Pilate approved the request and sent soldiers to seal up and guard the tomb.

For a really interesting look at the type of tombs employed and how they were sealed in that era, check out this post

Presumed tomb of Herod's Family

The most common type of tomb seal - a Cork!

What most of us think of when seeing the sealed tomb of Jesus

 The next question is where was Jesus during this time? If Jesus was fully God and fully man, the man is dead, but where is His spirit?

There actually is quite a bit of debate about this among theologians (who would have thought?) and here is a really fascinating read for those interested. Needless to say, I've got my own thoughts, per Scripture.

In 1 Peter 3:18-19, we read during the time in the tomb, Jesus went to preach to spirits in prison. I was taught Jesus went to hell to proclaim victory over death and set free those "still in prison". Who was in prison? In context, it was the people disobedient in Noah's day, who died in the flood.

Also, in Ephesians 4:8-10, one of the interesting parts of this is found here:

Now what is the meaning of “he ascended,” except that he also descended to the lower regions, namely, the earth?

And many, including myself, thought that Jesus descended into hell. Why, it's even in the Nicene Creed! The original Nicene Creed didn't have any phrase about descending, only the grave. It was added later.

There are three passages that would refute any thought of Jesus "going to hell" during the time of his body being in the tomb.

• Luke 23:43 - What did Jesus tell the thief who asked Jesus to remember him when he went to paradise? Jesus said, "Today, you will be with me in paradise" Now Jesus can do anything, within the realm of his nature, character, and his logic. Today & With Me are pretty concrete.
  
• John 19:30 - "It is Finished" What is finished? The purpose of his coming- to be the once and for all sacrifice for man's sin. No more sacrifices needed.
  
• Luke 23:46 - “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit” Just like Stephen cried in Acts 7:59, once the body dies, the spirit takes flight! Paul wrote "To be absent in the body is to be present with the Lord"

Fun stuff on the peripheral to look at but the most important part here is this: In Isaiah 53:1-11 details the why and what of Jesus mission and purpose.

The punishment that brought us peace was put upon him, and by his stripes (the wounds he was given by the scourging) we are healed.

Enjoy your weekend and tomorrow, the culmination of Passion Week brings the ultimate hope for us!