The Resurrection Provides a Sudden Jolt, a Shocking Change By Tom Shankliin

And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;  (Ephesians 2:1, KJV).

I like the use of the Old English word, "quickened," in the King James Version of the Bible. Even though it is an antiquated word, it carries a power, potency, and spirit that we sometimes miss. The New King James version reads: "And you He made alive. . ."

"Quickened" means to make alive, but to me it carries with it the idea of a sudden jolt, a shocking change. The word is also used in another place in the Word of God, talking about the God "who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were."  (Romans 4:17, KJV).

This spiritual quickening has a parallel in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. 2,000 years ago, He who is the Son of God, born of Virgin, He who lived a sinless life went to the cross to die in our place. At the cross, Jesus identified with our sin, literally "bore our sins in his own body" in order that we might be forgiven and reconciled to God.

His lifeless, bloodless, depleted body was then taken from the cross and laid in a grave. For three days, that body lay still in the tomb. He had done the will of God. The sacrifice was completed. But Almighty God raised Jesus from the dead, victorious over death, hell and the devil. 

The Bible tells us that over 500 people saw Jesus after He rose from the dead. What wonderful proof. If the prosecuting attorneys in the OJ Simson trial had been able to produce 500 witnesses of the event, there would have been little need for DNA testing. They would be able for prove the facts conclusively. Many may deny it, but the reality is: Jesus Christ is risen from the dead.

Jesus Christ was "quickened." One moment His precious body was still, lifeless, motionless. Then the mighty power of God changed all that. It is this same power that still changes lives today.

Often, Easter is compared with springtime-the new grass, the flowers, the green leaves. This is all representative, it is said, of the resurrection, and renewal through Christ.

But in reality, it is a weak comparison. Spring is a very natural phenomena. It occurs every year, as the earth is warmed by the changing of the season. It's a wonderful time of year, but in reality bears little comparison to the miraculous event of the resurrection with occurred 2,000 years ago. 

One is natural. The other is supernatural.

One occurs every year. The other only once in history.

One is a process. The other is an instantaneous miracle.

The scripture tells us, however, that we too are "quickened" by the power of God through Jesus Christ. Without Him we are dead in trespasses and sin, hopelessly separated from God, eternally separated and destined for judgement.

But we can receive New Life (a quickening). Not merely a renewal, like Spring, but a sudden jolt of Holy Spirit power, to deliver us miraculously from the Kingdom of darkness and into the Kingdom of God. This quickening is called the New Birth. It occurs when we receive the message of salvation through Jesus Christ and turn to God. No person, no institution, no ritual, no outward act can make us a child of God, because it is a matter of the heart. It is something which occurs spiritually when we receive God's sacrifice for us and make Jesus Christ the Lord of our lives.

If you have not done this, do it today! Pray this prayer and make this Easter season the most memorable and important of your life.

O God, I know I'm a sinner. Without Christ I'm lost. I'm make a decision today to leave the past behind. I receive Jesus Christ as my Lord and Saviour. I believe that you raised Him from the dead. I receive your new life today, in Jesus name.