Scripture reading: Genesis 9:8-17.

Sermon text: 1 Peter 3:18-22.

This past Wednesday marked the beginning of the season of Lent on the Church calendar. The early Church marked a 40-day period before Easter (excluding Sundays) in fasting and preparation for the Easter season. In this season, new converts prepared for baptism at Easter, while believers who under Church discipline prepared for their reinstatement to the Church.

As believers in Christ, we know that we enjoy the privilege of participation in both the covenant God made with Noah and the covenant Christ cemented with His glorious resurrection. Today’s Scripture readings remind us of God’s eternal promises given to His people, promises of restoration, forgiveness, and redemption. The sermon text today in particular points to the truths we remember in Lent: The punishment we incur for our sins; Jesus’ suffering for our sins and His conquest of death on our behalf; and our acceptance of His suffering and death for us, marked by our baptism.

St. Peter wrote his first letter to “elect exiles,” or Jewish believers, who lived in the area of modern Turkey. As St. Peter wrote his letter, he encouraged these believers to endure suffering for the sake of Christ so their testimony in suffering would proclaim the gospel of their Lord. Today’s sermon passage, while it reminded St. Peter’s readers of Jesus’ suffering, ranks as one of the most difficult passages in Scripture to interpret.

The first verse in this passage requires little debate. St. Peter reminded his readers that Jesus had “suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God.” St. Peter had witnessed Jesus’ suffering roughly 3 decades before; he had seen Jesus hanging on the cross, and he knew the location of Jesus’ grave. Jesus had not suffered in vain, however; as St. Peter wrote, Jesus’ suffering paid the price for our sin, a price we could not pay on our own. Jesus, the “righteous,” suffered for us, the “unrighteous.” Jesus suffered “that He might bring us to God.” As St. Paul wrote, “God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).

St. Peter’s next sentences require some thought. Scholars and theologians have debated St. Peter’s words for centuries. What did St. Peter mean when he wrote that Jesus “went and proclaimed to the spirits in prison,” especially spirits who disobeyed “in the days of Noah”? Theologians believe this passage could have at least 3 different interpretations.

The first interpretation says St. Peter’s referring to fallen angels from Genesis 6, angels now kept in torment awaiting their final judgment. The second interpretation says the “spirits” involve unbelievers who heard and rejected Noah’s sermons of repentance he delivered while building the ark. The last interpretation says that Jesus preached to people who died before His birth. Although the last interpretation has little Scriptural basis (if any), either of the first two interpretations have some validity.

Which is true? Frankly, I don’t know. I believe those who spend too much time debating these issues miss the greatest lesson of this passage.

I see no reason to spend time debating the identity of the people who heard Jesus’ proclamation because I don’t see this as a major issue. To me, the major lesson is this: Jesus went into the region of the dead, proclaimed His message — and then returned from the dead.

I’m not concerned with the fact Jesus preached while His body lay dead in a tomb; I rejoice that He rose again!

I rejoice that Jesus’ suffering paid the price for my sins. I rejoice that Jesus’ suffering brought me to God. I rejoice that Jesus conquered death, giving me the assurance that everyone who believes in Him will inherit eternal life. I rejoice that my baptism brought me into a family of faith, the Church, that constitutes the entire body of believers, both the living and the dead. As we enter Lent, I rejoice that Jesus has ascended to heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty, with all powers subjected to His authority.

As we prepare to commemorate Holy Communion today at New Hope, I invite you to approach the Table and hear the words that resonate with us especially during the season of Lent, words of forgiveness and joy: Jesus’ death and resurrection have purchased your salvation, your freedom, and your eternity. Rejoice in Jesus’ resurrection; rejoice that, for all time, you have the eternal assurance of Jesus’ forgiveness.