“The Party in Hell” (Ready to Worship S8E9)

November 16, 2018

Ready to Worship Season 8, Episode 9 for Friday, November 16, 2018

This season on Ready to Worship, we are examining the cross. It is our hope that focusing on the cross will help us to focus in our worship. This week, we want to begin with a story.

The party started at 6 pm on Friday. It was sure to be the party to end all parties. The startling events of the day had everyone excited. The crowd swelled to overflowing throughout the night. The party was wild. There was plenty of excess. Throughout the night, the host rose to make toasts and the crowd cheered. He spoke with the confidence of a newly crowned world champion. At times, the outcome of the contest had been in doubt. However, near the end, the momentum shifted, and the life was taken out of the other side. Saturday morning, the party showed no signs of slowing down or stopping. In fact, it got louder and louder by the hour. The host loved it. Then, it happened. Early Sunday morning, a messenger arrived and whispered something into the host’s ear. The host was noticeably stunned and shaken by the news. A nervous hush fell over the crowd. Soon, another messenger arrived confirming the news. Just like that, the party in hell was over. Jesus had walked out of His own tomb, never to die again. What seemed like Satan’s greatest victory became his greatest defeat. In the second chapter of Hebrews, we read, “Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage” (Heb. 2:14-15).

As we get ready to worship this week, let’s remember the day when the party in hell ended. Let’s rejoice in the wedding feast that is planned for us when this life is over.