Resurrection as Priority Over the Teachings of Christ

3For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance^a: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 5and that he appeared to Cephas,^b and then to the Twelve. 6After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. 7Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, 8and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born. (1 Corinthians 15:3-8)

Thoughts:  Paul, did not put the teachings of Christ as of first importance, but the death-burial-resurrection as of first importance.  The faith in Christ is not in following Jesus' teachings (like on the Sermon on the Mount), but in believing in His salvific events.  Why?  Paul believed we are not saved by obeying Jesus' teachings, but by His salvation-work on the cross that is confirmed in his death-burial-resurrection.  The resurrection confirms Jesus' teachings as being from God, and his death on the cross as being the sacrifice for our sins that was accepted by the Father.  Tomorrow we will look at these appearances that confirm the resurrection as real. 

Prayer: Lord, help me to keep the first important things as important to me.  Thank you that you rose from the grave and that makes a huge difference for me.