It is a privilege and opportunity to share the touch stones of the death and resurrection of Jesus and the rich gems of blessings we now receive in the risen Christ. The hidden Power we shall refer to is not only the important power that raised Jesus Christ from the dead, but the same power the disciples and us that are in Christ receive now.

A perfect, innocent man was put to death, even the death upon the cross. Why does it say "even unto death upon the cross"? He went through the trials and was falsely accused. He had to be treated the same as those that were justified to suffer the death upon the cross because of the criminal law of Israel. (Deut.21:22,23) "And if a man have committed a sin worthy of death, and he be put to death, and thou hang him upon the tree:…but thou shalt in any wise bury him that day; (for he that is hanged is accursed of God;) that thy land be not defiled, which the LORD thy God giveth thee for an inheritance". If the body was left to hang through the Sabbath day they also could have been put to death. Besides, the Sabbath day is a day of rest. God had already revealed what would take place to His beloved Son as He declared it unto His disciples. So, even in this important fact we need no other to teach us. We have firm confirmation in the written Word of God that Jesus was raised the third day "according to the scriptures". How wonderful to know and believe this fulfilment of God's promise. We are reminded at this time of year that 'Love's redeeming work is done'; when Jesus cried out "It is finished". Love's redeeming work continues in us by the cleansing power of Jesus Christ. We are washed daily when we come to the cross; daily we thank God for the cleansing blood for our bodies that needs to be frequently cleansed because there is certainly power; hidden power in the blood. This is why Jesus had to die and be raised by the mighty power of God. What a blessing we receive because of that cruel death and resurrection of God's beloved Son.

We need to remind ourselves of those descriptive scriptures to understand fully what is meant and to apply such; in order to carry out according to God's Will for us. The council at that time felt justified to carry out those proceedings according to the written law. Although He was falsely accused of blasphemy, whereas, we have been washed in the blood of the lamb. Here we have also received the cleansing power of the risen Christ, that atonement that was made on our behalf and the world of mankind.

Sanctification

Paul writing to the brethren at Corinth which we can apply today said "You were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God".(1 Cor.6:11 NASB) Here Paul was making a contrast between the unrighteous and the righteous. So having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him. What a blessing from the resurrection of Christ. The sanctification is the cleansing power, the hidden power in the inner man. It is the same power that raised Jesus Christ from the tomb. We have been sanctified by the power of the Holy Spirit. Here again we see the outcome of power working in us and for us. Is this not an astounding miracle that is hidden? Paul reminds us that we are sanctified by the word of God and prayer. When he wrote to the church at Corinth; he wrote to the sanctified in Christ Jesus.

The hidden power of God

"And my message and my preaching", he says "were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith should not rest on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God". He continues "Yet we do speak wisdom among those who are mature; a wisdom, however, not of this age nor of the rulers of this age, who are passing away; but we speak God's wisdom in a mystery, the hidden wisdom, which God predestined before the ages to our glory," he continues and says "the wisdom which none of the rulers of this age has understood;" and finally he mentions that all important point "for if they understood it they would not have crucified the Lord of glory". (1 Cor.2:4-8 NASB) Let's repeat those vital words again "the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory". The Amplified Bible explains it this way "But rather what we are setting forth is a wisdom of God once hidden (from the human understanding) and now revealed to us by God‑(that wisdom) which God devised and decreed before the ages for our glorification (to lift us into the glory of His presence)". We note "once hidden" "and now revealed". Does it mean then, it was hidden so that the crucifixion took place but was revealed after the resurrection? This seems to be a reasonable explanation and also the reason for mentioning it here. You will remember very distinctly that James says if "you lack wisdom" pray for it. There were other times when certain things were kept back or hidden for the time being by God. When things were hard to comprehend or understand. One of those times you remember when it was not right for their eyes and so forth to be opened. As we are enlightened by the hidden power of the Holy Spirit, we are given a greater understanding of the hidden power and wisdom of God through Jesus Christ. This power is unlimited and beyond human comprehension. On the day of Pentecost particular power was given to the disciples. Jesus told them of this time before it occurred; He said to them "These are My words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things which are written about Me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled." Then He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, and He said to them, "Thus it is written, that the Christ would suffer and rise again from the dead the third day, and that repentance for forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed in His name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. And behold, I am sending forth the promise of My Father upon you; but you are to stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high" (Luke 24:44-49 NASB). The hidden or unseen power of the Holy Spirit; we can only see the outworking evidence. It is also known and rightly so as a hidden mystery or sacred secret. We have also received the power of the Holy Spirit through the risen Christ. Our bodies are the Temple of the Holy Spirit which we have been given by God; for we are not our own. The power of the Holy Spirit enables our minds to be enlightened to penetrate the living word of God. The mind is controlled by the spirit, directing our thoughts and ways according to the Will of God; through Jesus Christ. The hidden power is undoubtedly beyond measure. This power forces against the evil power of sin and darkness. By one man came death and it was by one perfect man came life everlasting. We are alive through the risen Christ. We have a spirit filled life by the mighty power of God through Jesus Christ.

A life everlasting and eternal

"Our life is hid with Christ in God". This is one of the most treasured gifts that we have been given by God; even eternal life. There is a difference between eternal and everlasting. In John 3:16 (KJV) it is everlasting life meaning that once you have believed and have given your all to Him; this will never change as far as He is concerned. But eternal life relates to our hope beyond this life, although, the words in the Greek are very closely connected. However, this life we have in Him now; is a life of holiness from our Holy Father; God Himself. What treasures we already possess in our earthen vessels; and yet greater possessions await us in heaven reserved for each one of us. The word has it in Luke 11:13 (NASB) "If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?"

It also mentions that we need to ask. So we now come to an indescribable power of prayer. What we do know is that prayer is always heard and answered. If we have a difficulty praying then we need to remind ourselves of the great interpreter that sitteth on the right hand of the majesty on high. We cannot stress enough the power of prayer to God. James says the prayer of faith shall save the sick. We are told of the widow's son raised after Elijah's prayer to God. The word says "And he stretched himself upon the child three times, and cried unto the Lord, and said "O Lord my God, I pray thee, let this child's soul come into him again". And the child came back to life. This is one example; but the power is the power that raised Jesus the Son of the living God.

The hidden power

We have been called by the mighty power of God through Jesus Christ our Lord by the hidden power of God who created all things and gave His Son "All power". We have been called, justified by faith, sanctified by the power of the Holy Spirit. The hidden power of Christ within us confirms the promise of the hope of glory when we shall be changed into the likeness of Christ's glorious body, the time when we shall see Him as He is. When He prayed that intercessory prayer to His Father it indicates that longing to be received back to that glory He once had. We have touched upon some of the rich blessings we are receiving because of the hidden power that raised Jesus Christ from the dead and ascended to the throne of glory; waiting to come again to receive His bride the church to be with Him where He is. And now the hidden power of work is taking place; to prepare us for a dwelling in heaven to be with Him forever.

PW