What does “He ascended” mean except that He also descended to the lower, earthly regions? Ephesians 4:9
“The view of the early church fathers and the consensus view through the centuries has been that it refers to a descent of Christ to the underworld. Although a difficult issue, this view appears to have the greatest amount of evidence to support it. Many theologians refer to it as the decensus ad infernos…
This passage thus has significant lines of correspondence with 1 Peter 3:19 where Peter says that Christ “went and preached to the spirits in prison” following his death… the text speaks of Christ’s descending to the underworld and proclaiming a message of victory over the rebellious demonic powers.”
Clinton E. Arnold in Ephesians (ZECNT; Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2010) 253-254.
What did Jesus do between Good Friday and Resurrection Sunday?
A few verses give us clues that come together to reveal He was working in Hades. Today’s Scripture places Jesus in the lower earthly regions. And this verse from Matthew locates Him in the heart of the earth.
For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. Matthew 12:40
It seems He was in Hades proclaiming good news, victory over death. This would explain why saints who had died were raised from the dead.
At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split and the tombs broke open. The bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. They came out of the tombs after Jesus’ resurrection and went into the holy city and appeared to many people. Matthew 27:51-53
He also appears to have been preaching to the dead. Perhaps giving them an opportunity to find life. We don’t know exactly.
For this is the reason the gospel was preached even to those who are now dead, so that they might be judged according to human standards in regard to the body, but live according to God in regard to the spirit. 1 Peter 4:6
But the cool part for us is that Jesus did not stay there.
Seeing what was to come, he spoke of the resurrection of the Messiah, that He was not abandoned to the realm of the dead, nor did His body see decay. Acts 2:31
This relates to our generosity in this way. And don’t miss this. Between His death and the resurrection, Jesus did the proverbial “dirty work” the Father mapped out for Him. He went to Hades to do good work: decensus ad infernos.
Now I realize you and I cannot travel to Hades, but God might have us go to some difficult places to accomplish His plan and purposes. And often no one will see or know what precisely we did. That’s okay, God sees and knows.
And we can proclaim good news in those places like Jesus did. I have experienced this in my recent travels. It’s true, which is why I testify that when we do this, prepare to watch life conquer death. See the evil spirits run and help captives find freedom.
Ponder with gratitude the life you have in Jesus today and where He might want you to descend.