Of First Importance

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TTEXT: 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 (ESV) 3  For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, 4  that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures
 
Last month Jeremy and Krista got married in St. Paul Park, Minnesota.
 
Since Jeremy is a volunteer firefighter in that community they felt it was only fitting for them to get hitched in the local firehouse. As they talked about the pros and cons of the fire-station venue, the couple recognized there was the possibility the ceremony or the reception might be interrupted by a fire call. After discussion, they decided they were ready to take that risk. Krista gave the final ruling when she said, if a fire call comes “You can let the other guys go, you’re not leaving our wedding.”
 
To make a long story short, the wedding ceremony went off without a hitch. The “I do’s”, the rings and the vows were successfully exchanged.  It was only when the official photographs were being taken that the bell rang. A house was on fire… and calls were going out to all the fire departments.
 
Those departments were being told, ‘Send all the trucks and personnel you’ve got.”
 
Krista and Jeremy looked at each other and made a decision. Krista, whose own family had lost a house to fire said, “Go ahead and go, babe, you’re fine. Just go help them and come back when you can.” Jeremy took off his wedding togs and donned his firefighter garb. He says, “I stepped on the first truck that was heading out.” Jeremy returned two-hours-later, in time for their wedding dance before their approving guests.
 
Looking back, Krista commented, “I’ve got the rest of my life with him, they needed him for that moment.”
 
I like that attitude. Their words and actions showed the couple knows how to keep first things first. They know what is “of first importance.”
 
Saint Paul used that expression, “of first importance” when he wrote to the church in Corinth.
 
And if you’re wondering what was the primary thing the Apostle felt he had to share with those folks, you need to look closely at the next line. There Paul reminds them that he had told them:
 

• Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures,

 

• that he was buried, 

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•  that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures,

In a few short words, Paul sums up the suffering and the sacrifice of the Savior. He reminds his readers that Jesus died for our sins and then, three days later conquered death and grave with His glorious resurrection.
 
But there’s more. Twice in one sentence Paul emphasizes everything Jesus did was according to “the Scriptures.” Paul was telling them, and us, we can be sure Jesus is our Savior because He fulfilled all the Old Testament markers the prophets had set up to make the identification of the Messiah a certain and sure thing.
 
And so it is.
 
THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, there are many forces pulling us one way and pushing us another. May we be given the wisdom to know that following the Savior is of first importance and everything else comes a distant second. In the Savior’s Name we ask it. Amen.
 
The above devotion was inspired by a number of sources, including one written by the editors of Newser on September 27, 2018 Those who wish to reference those articles may do so at the following links, which were fully functional at the time this devotion was written http://www.newser.com/story/265176/he-left-his-bride-before-the-first-dance-she-told-him-to-go.html. 
 
The music which introduces and concludes our devotions was written by Guy Baumann, one of my long-ago  confirmands. He is singing with three brothers. This song comes from the album: The Baumann Brothers which may be ordered here: http://thebaumannbrothers.com/index.html