"Who Told Jesus to Go to Hell?"
What is hell? Where do we find it? How do we relate to it? Do we have a judging God who consigns people to hell if they have lived a bad life? What did Jesus think of hell?
The sermon has three points and it is a search for hell and an attempt to answer the question, "Who told Jesus to go to hell?"
1. Hell can be a place. In Jerusalem there was a place where it was rumored there had been child sacrifice in the past. There are places like that today. Dachau is one. Columbine High School is another. The Trade Center in New York and the Pentagon from 9-11 is such a place. Jesus is in those places.
2. Problems with people can be hell. Relationships can take a destructive turn and we can make each other miserable and can interact in such a way that we are in hell with each other. Jesus is in those relationships trying to help us find a way out.
3. Punishment is always been suspected as the eventual outcome of life lived poorly. No one knows for sure but many people believe God is a loving God and not a judging God. Is there a state of mind, or a place, or a sense of eternal punishment after death? It gives us comfort in knowing that there is some kind of ultimate justice and those who have been unjust will be dealt with. We also believe in forgiveness and we hear that Jesus came for lost sheep and to bring God "to the least of these". If there is punishment after death in a fiery hell Jesus is there.
Who told Jesus to go to hell?
In my way of thinking it was God who told Jesus to be with us wherever we are and if we are in hell Jesus will be there with us.
What do you think about this?
If you have thoughts write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to have others read your thoughts click on the box below marked "comments". I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
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