The Matter of First Importance!

“For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures.” (1 Corinthians 15:3). NIV

John Wooden an American basketball player and head coach said, “The most important thing in the world is family and love.” Audrey Hepburn, a British actress, model, dancer, and humanitarian said, “The most important thing is to enjoy your life- to be happy it is all that matters.” Many people think health is the most important because we need health to work and think properly. People may vary in their opinions about what is most important. However, Paul says the most important thing had been passed on to him, and he passes that most important thing to all of us faithfully. What is the most important? The knowledge and awareness that Christ died for your sins, just as the Scriptures said.” This is called the Gospel or the good news for all people living everywhere on this planet earth.

Listen to what Paul says there. “For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures.” (1 Corinthians 15:3).  Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that He was seen by Peter and then by the Twelve. After that, he was seen by more than 500 of his followers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have died. Then he was seen by James and later by all the apostles. Last of all, as though I had been born at the wrong time, I also saw him. For I am the least of all the apostles. I’m not even worthy to be called an apostle after the way I persecuted God’s church.” (1 Corinthians 15:3-9).

The three main ingredients of the Gospel or the good news is this. Jesus Christ died for our sins, then he was buried, and after that, he was raised on the third day, just as the Scriptures (Bible) said. This is the Gospel or the good news that all should hear and understand. Christ is the Son of God, who came to this earth to pay for your sins and wrongdoings, according to God’s predetermined plan. He paid for all of your sins by His precious, divine, and sinless blood that was poured out on the cross of Calvary. Isiah 53:5-6 says, “He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds, we are healed. And the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all”. This was one of the hundreds of prophecies of the Bible fulfilled in Christ Jesus.

After His death, they buried him in the tomb of Joseph of Arimathea. However, on the third day, Jesus Christ rose again from the dead defeating sin, death, and devil. Beloved, no tomb in the whole earth is open except Christ. You can still go to Israel in Jerusalem and verify the open tomb. It silently declares the truth the angel answered on that day, “ He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay”. (Matthew 28:6). It is the fact that Jesus Christ, the Son of God rose from the dead on the third day and you can verify with your own eyes. Buddha is still in the grave, Muhammed is still in a cemetery. All eastern religious heroes are still in the grave if they were ever lived. We are unable to verify the historicity of many of the eastern gods, anyway. It says after the resurrection Jesus appeared to all twelve of his disciples. Then appeared to five hundred people and most of them were still living when Paul wrote the book of Corinthians. Then Jesus appeared to James, and again to all the disciples and then he says he appeared to Paul. He says he does not deserve to be called an apostle because initially, he persecuted the church of God.

Why is this most important? You see family, love, happiness, and health all will end at the time of our last breath. We will be taken to a place called the graveyard and will be buried under six feet of mud. All we longed for here are going to end at the time of our departure. Gospel/good news that Jesus died, buried, and risen again from the dead and believing in the Son of God who allowed His body to be broken and shed his blood for our sins is the only thing that grants us admission to heaven when we fall here in the dust. There is no other way to heaven. Jesus, Himself said this, “ I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6. It is the first important thing – your life after death-eternity-hinges on what you would do with the good news and Jesus.

Remember Jesus what said to one of the criminals on the Cross. He believed Jesus did not do anything to be crucified on that cross with him. He knew Jesus was divine and innocent. He asked, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” He believed the cross is not the end of Jesus. He believed Jesus is going to rise again and going to come into His kingdom. He expressed his faith in Christ as the Messiah and Savior by requesting Jesus to remember him when Jesus comes in glory. Jesus said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:39-43). The moment this criminal died, He was in heaven in the presence of the Lord because he believed in the Gospel/good news even at the last moment of his life.

Beloved, this is why Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection is the most important thing in your life and my life. We will leave all here at the moment of our death. We will leave family, friends, loved ones, wealth, career all. However, are you sure you will be in heaven at the moment of your death? Alternatively, will you go to an eternity without the loving presence of the Lord? That is called Hell. If you are not sure yet, please call upon the name of the Lord Jesus Christ today because he loves you and he died for all of your sins and paid for your sins by His blood. He is your only savior who can save you from your sins and grant you eternal life.

Got a moment for today’s prayer? “Father in heaven, I believe God placed all of my sins on Jesus Christ, and He became the sacrificial lamb in my place. I accept Christ as my savior and Lord today. Please come to my heart and save me. Forgive my sins and grant me eternal life. In Christ’s name, I pray. Amen.”