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...."
I Cor. 15:3

First Importance.  Or the KJV says that Paul passed this along first.  The very first thing that Paul wanted to tell his listeners was Jesus, crucified and risen again for us.

Jesus told Martha “few things are needed—or indeed only one.”  (Luke 10:41)

It is of great importance that we prioritize correctly.  Paul starts chapter 15 by declaring the gospel “in which you stand.”  And he ends this chapter by saying “Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you.”

We cannot stand firm unless we know upon what we stand.

Our faith is a reasonable and logical faith.  It is not a leap into the dark nor an abandonment of the mind.  Thus Paul tells the Corinthians, “Come back to your senses as you ought, and stop sinning....” (v. 34).  Sinning is illogical and senseless.  Obeying God is most sensible.

We see this idea reflected in the parable of the Prodigal Son, who, after wasting his life and his time and his resource, “came to his senses” (Luke 15:17).  The demon possessed man who had a legion of demons in him was wild, unkempt, unclothed and unrestrained.  But once Jesus healed him, the people found “the demoniac sitting there, clothed and in his right mind.”  (Mark 5:15)

The man, formerly possessed of demons, now seated at Jesus feet listening to the Master.  And just as Mary sat at Jesus feet having chosen what is better, so this man received what could not be taken from him.  (Luke 10:42).

Thus we must come back to our senses and take our seat at Jesus feet to learn of Him what is of first importance.