Death of Christ

The biggest point Luther makes about the descent is not that Jesus triumphed over hell idle and unaffected, but that Jesus defeated hell by suffering hell away.

Paul says that the power of sin is the law. The more clearly we understand the law, the more sin oppresses and stings us.

The implications were clear: Jesus’ death destroyed the things that distinguished people as educated or uneducated, rich or poor, free or enslaved, black or white, pious or godless.

Your faith is not dependent on whether or not you suffer well. Your faith is dependent on the fact that Christ did.

We can rejoice in our own need and the gift we receive through baptism given by the same one by whom John desired to be baptized.