1 Cor 15:3.
“For what I received,I passed on to you as what is of first importance…”

Paul makes it clear what is of first importance to him in ministry: the death, burial and ressurection of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is the basis of our whole Christian faith.

This must be our priority as well, because there are three important stages in His death that apply to every one who would want to go the way of the cross.

1. The dying stage.
   The Bible says ”except a wheat of corn falls to the ground and dies it abides alone.” (John 12:24) Indeed like Christ we must all go through our own “death process” in order to become all that we are born to be.
2. The burial stage.
   This is a period where you are hidden for a season, unnoticed. It was said of John the Baptist,”and he was in the deserts till the day of his shewing to Israel.” (Luke 1:80) It’s often an uncomfortable but necessary period of preparation.
3. The rising stage.
   This is the period of your upliftment, promotion and shining. When this period is up, not all the forces of hell can keep you down. ”… For it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him.” (Acts 2:24).

Dear friend, these are the three important stages of the death of Christ and this will be your story too.

The Bible says ”if we have been planted with him in a death like his, then we shall be united with him in a resurrection like his”. (Rom 6:5)
The good news is that your rising is imminent and nothing can keep you down.

Arise, shine for your light has come!

Further reading :1 Cor 15:1-58.