We are two weeks into Lent. Many see these weeks leading to Easter as a time of spiritual spring cleaning. We
temporarily set aside things that distract us and spend more time focused on God’s Word and prayer, reflecting on what
Jesus has done for us. Others see it as a more lasting process of permanently setting some things aside as we prepare to
live in response to what God did for us through Jesus. Whether you participate in this time of reflection or not, Easter is
coming and we need to prepare. This is such an important occasion that it is not to be missed. If Christmas gets a month,
shouldn’t Easter get more?
If we are going to start getting ready for Easter, what does that mean? Does it just mean another long weekend? The
arrival of spring? A time for family? A big dinner to prepare? Is it simply a celebration that this time of doing without is
over so we can get back to normal? How do you look at Easter? What does your celebration include?
Some will go all out with decorations, dinners, gatherings, and gifts. Others will take some parts of Easter and leave
the rest. Eggs, chocolate, flowers, dinners, maybe church. As you look at Easter and decide what you will do with it this
year, I would like to give you a filter through which to look and make your decisions. What really matters most and
shouldn’t be left out?
1 Corinthians 15 gives us the bottom line. Here we are told that without these ingredients we have believed in vain.
These are the key matters that must be believed. These are the details of first importance. They are the foundation of
our lives, our worship, and our living hope.
These matters of first importance are “…that 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 appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve”
(1 Corinthians 15:3-5). So that’s it. That’s the bottom line.
Christ died for our sins. He is the Lamb of God. He is God’s sacrifice for us. For so long people made sacrifices that
would not bring us full and final forgiveness. Then Jesus came. Isaiah 53 tells us that God sacrificed Him to pay for our
rebellion. He took our judgement. 2 Corinthians 5:21 tells us “God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in
Him we might become the righteousness of God.” It is crucial that we understand that Jesus was absolutely sinless.
Hebrews 4 makes this clear as well in saying that Jesus was tempted like we are but He was without sin. He had to be in
order to be the perfect, final sacrifice that would settle our account and grant us God’s forgiveness. God is just and
demands that sin be paid for. He is also merciful and paid for it Himself!
Paul continues by saying that Jesus was buried and that He was raised on the third day. Jesus promised on a number
of occasions to do just that. He said that if they destroyed the temple (His body), He would rebuild it in 3 days (John 2).
He said that like Jonah was in the fish for 3 days, He would be in the earth (buried) for 3 days (Matthew 12). He then
appeared to many proving that He had indeed conquered death.
Dying as the sinless Lamb of God means Jesus can grant us forgiveness. Rising again means that He can also grant us
eternal life. Our resurrection as His followers is directly connected to and dependant on His.
This year, look at Easter through the filter of Jesus’ death and resurrection. Take time to reflect on your response. “He
died for all that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for Him who died for them and was raised
again” (2 Corinthians 5:14).
Once you understand Easter this way, use Easter as the filter through which you look at your life and your death. It will
change everything. These really are matters of first importance.