Where did Christ go After His Death on the Cross?
Answer: By Brian Tipton
The story of the Rich man and Lazarus can be found in Luke 16:19-31. In this story we learn that the Rich man who had lived a life of sin was sent to Hades and Lazarus who was judged righteous was sent to Abraham's Bosom or paradise after they died. I don't know which translation of the Bible you are using. The NIV translates Hades in verse 23 as Hell. The Hades in verse 23 is not the final place of torment. The final place of eternal destruction is called Gehenna in the Greek. These are two distinct places. Both places are places of torment (verse 23) but Gehenna Hell is reserved for the eternal separation from the presence of God and is often called the Lake of Fire (Rev 20:14-15).
In this story we here of a place denoted as Abraham's bosom (or side). We also learn that this place was a place of rest and comfort for the righteous (verse 25) Hence, it seems that there was a place prepared for the righteous to await judgment day as well. The righteous wait for eternal life in Heaven and the unrighteous await eternal destruction in Hell. One important thing we learn from the story is that all people will know what their final destination is immediately after they die. If you find yourself in Paradise you will go to Heaven. If you find yourself in torment in Hades, it is only going to get worse at the Judgment. We must remember that God is no respecter of persons (Acts 10:34) If one righteous person goes to Abraham's side at death then all righteous person's will go to Abraham's side at death. If one unrighteous person goes to Hades at death then all unrighteous people will go to Hades at death. Each awaiting their final place of rest or torment.
I believe you were wondering if this is where Jesus went after his crucifixion. The answer is yes. Let's look at a couple of verses. While speaking to the thief on the cross, Jesus told him,
Here we find out another name for the place known as Abraham's bosom. The place is paradise. We know from the story of Lazarus and the Rich man that the place where righteous people go to at death is Abraham's side. Both Jesus and the thief who believed in Christ were going to paradise or Abraham's side. These are Christ's own words. We know that paradise is not Heaven because if the thief actually went to heaven after his death, God would have shown favoritism to him and his Word teaches that he respects no man above another (Acts 10:34)."And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise." (Luke 23:43)