As we head into warmer temperatures and see the return of that big, yellow ball in the sky, there is much to look forward to.

Many of us are already thinking about camping trips, opening day of baseball, breaking out the boat to cruise one of our gorgeous lakes and rivers, making sure to get a line in the water, hitting Silver Beach, or even picnics in the parks and the blessing we have like outdoor movies shown down at the Riverfront Park. 

With fantasies of what the warmer weather will bring, it might be easy to overlook the fact that the greatest celebration of our common Christian faith is right around the corner. This series of events that I’m referring to is what the Apostle Paul reminded the church at Corinth was of “first importance.” 

It seems to me that if the great apostle considered something that significant, we would do well to not overlook it.  So, what did Paul consider to be of first importance? The events that took place over the course of one Passover weekend nearly 2,000 years ago.

Paul writes to the Corinthians, “for I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the scriptures, that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day in accordance with the scriptures. (1 Corinthians 15:3-4)”

In other words, the events that took place one Passover weekend were the very most important events in all of Christianity.

This year, the majority of Christians will celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus Christ on April 21, a day that is commonly referred to as Easter. This one event has been called the “linchpin of Christianity,” by authors Lee Strobel and others. It is what holds Christianity together and what Christians, who have eternal life by means of trusting Christ alone, put their hope. 

I look forward to the sunrise service at the corners of US-12 and Bakertown Road that morning hosted by Lewie Rohl, but open to the community, at which Life Action Ministries missionary, Dan Puckett, will lead communion, and the hundreds of “Resurrection Sunday” services throughout Michiana.

Of course, there could be no resurrection without the sacrificial, atoning death of Jesus Christ on the cross of Calvary. I look forward to commemorating that at 7 p.m. Friday, April 19, as Pastor Rob Snodgrass of Wesley United Methodist, at Third and Cedar streets, opens its doors to the more than a dozen churches from the Niles Area Ministerial Association, and as Pastor Brian Hedges of Redeemer Church (formerly Fulkerson Park Baptist Church) brings us a message and we celebrate communion as one Church of Niles.

So, this spring may we thank God for the return of so many wonderful, enjoyable activities, and let us do so while remembering what is of “first importance”: that Jesus died, was buried and rose again, just like the scriptures said He would, one spring, many years ago.

Pastor Matt Hickok is the lead pastor of Community Evangelical Free Church and treasurer of Niles Area Ministerial Association