One of the oldest (and probably the oldest) ways to understand the significance of what Jesus did on the cross is the fish hook theory: Adam and Eve and humanity were held prisoner in hell by Satan. God agreed to give Jesus Christ to Satan in exchange for getting Adam and Eve, et al. out of Satan’s hell. Satan took the bait, but he bit on the fish hook of Jesus’ divinity which was so bright and powerful that it exploded hell with its brightness.
When I experience hell in everyday life, it comes in the existential form of shame, intimidation, threats, traps, deceptions, fears, et al. When I contemplate the torture of the cross that Jesus endured in order to demonstrate the depth of His love for me, I can allow **that Love, His Love** to explode that existential hell (fear, shame, threats, etc.)–rather than any futile attempt to do it myself. Whatever the hell happens, whatever the hell they do to me–I have the divine love of Jesus Christ which will explode anything that this world throws against me, either in this life or the next–and knowing that can make this life a little more like heaven day by day as I try to stay close to Him.
Boyd Camak 