Nov 27 2007
go to hell
It was challenging day of worship today. We were challenged to recognize that Jesus went to hell to care for those far from God and we are called to do the same thing. You can hear it all here.
This sermon has just added to some serious soul searching that I have been doing about how to increase my service to God. But before I blog about that I want to share a poem from my Father that describes Jesus motivation and practice of going to hell. I encourage you t find a time when you can read it slowly and aloud.
…he descended into hell…
(1 Peter 3.18-19, 4.6)
Jesus heads for Hades every chance he gets,
not that he believes in it, chance, that is;
he believes in Hades, in fact he heads for Hades, every chance…
he gets there, carefully,
cupping cold water, as best he can, in his holey hands,
water for the throbbing throats of unsatiated lusts,
carefully, so as not to spill the drop he saves for the tip of Dives’ tongue.
Jesus goes to Gehenna every now and then,
not that he believes in it, then, that is;
he believes in Gehenna, in fact he goes to Gehenna every now…
and then he kneels in the ash heap,
heaping the ashes as best he can,
ashes for the seeping sores of unrepented sins,
saving one handful just for Job.
Jesus hangs out in Hell time after time,
not that he believes in it, time, that is;
he believes in Hell, in fact he hangs out in Hell and…
after a time he always works his way
to the one staring straight at him with eyes ever open like silver coins,
armed with a towel and a bowl, bearing broken bread wet with wine,
to wash the dangling feet and soothe the throttled throat of Judas.
Jesus heads for Hades whenever he can,
not that he believes in it, when, that is;
he believes in Hades, in fact he heads for Hades whenever…
he can even touch the tempter from time to time,
bringing him stone-ground bread,
showing him his high-mountain kingdom,
throwing himself down from the pinnacle,
not to rub it in, but to rub it in—
the oil that made him Messiah,
the ointment that dressed him for death,
the unguent of his own blood—
saving the one who crossed him up,
saving the worst at the last.
