1 Corinthians 15:20 - What God was doing while Jesus "slept"

In memory of my neighbor, Arlene Dykstra

Throughout scripture, dying is described as "falling asleep." The phrase can create confusion. Even Jesus had to clarify that when he said Lazarus was sleeping, he was actually dead! (John 11:14)

The phrase isn't just an euphemism to cover the ugliness of death. It is an affirmation of the resurrection. So when Jesus died on the cross, He "fell asleep." 

What was God doing while Jesus slept for three days?*

1 Corinthians 15:20 says, "But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who are asleep." (New American Standard, 1995)

And in Romans we read: "3 Or have you forgotten that when we were joined with Christ Jesus in baptism, we joined him in his death? 4 For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives." (Romans 6:3–4, New Living Translation, 2015)

In the most critical event in history, God the Son was asleep. For the best reason. In concert with God the Father and God the Holy Spirit, the way was being made for our sins to be forgiven, and for us to be resurrected like Jesus.

Lord God, just when it seems like death has the final say, when even heaven seems silent, we trust in the death AND resurrection of Christ Jesus--for our forgiveness, for our own resurrection. In His name we pray, Amen.

* The Apostles' Creed says that Christ "descended into hell." While that phrase isn't found in scripture, there are various passages that could be summarized that way. Likewise, there are many ways to interpret those verses. I'll let you search the internet for the multiple commentaries on the topic. The result is the same: God was working out our salvation.