Jesus Takes a Victory Lap

It is May, the month that my favorite racing event occurs: The Indianapolis 500.

 

For about 3 hours, thirty-three cars travel at speeds of up to 220 mph, making 200 laps around the 2.5 mile oval. In most years there are accidents. In some years the race is close and in some years a slow pit stop (where the driver fills up his gas tank) costs the driver a race. There is one thing in common with all the races, however.

 

 

The winner travels makes an extra lap – the victory lap.

 

The victory lap gives the car’s engine a chance to cool down a bit. It also is a “just in case” lap, as in “just in case” someone made an error in counting and the winner only went 199 laps. Finally, the extra lap lets the crowd know who the winner is.

 

Today’s reading is 1 Peter 3:18-4:7. Peter tells us who Jesus is and what he did for us. He continues by stating how we ought to live, our response for the love Jesus showed us.

 

Peter says, “He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit, through whom also he went and preached to the spirits in prison…”

 

This is an obscure passage, yet is important to our faith. Jesus descended into hell, in spirit form, before going to heaven, where he had his resurrection, or glorified, body.

 

Jesus lived a perfect life. He survived 40 days of being tempted by Satan in the desert. He taught, he healed and he performed miracles. Most important, he took on all our sins so that we would be credited with none. The perfect lamb was truly a sacrifice for our wrong doings.

 

So what was Jesus doing in hell?

 

He wasn’t preaching the gospel, for we know that once you die your fate is sealed.

 

Jesus defeated death, the grave and Satan. He beat Satan on earth, and here, he defeated Satan on his own turf, hell.

 

Jesus was celebrating his life. He was letting everyone know who the winner was.

 

Jesus was taking a victory lap!