Our 64th Word is Gospel
The simple definition is a good news announcement as in the Bible, the message of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus).
“And the gospel must first be preached to all nations.” (Mark 13:10)
Have you noticed the odd thing that happens when:
- someone finds out it’s not cancer after all;
- a friend’s kid hits a desperation shot from half court at the buzzer, to win the championship game;
- sweethearts get engaged;
- empty nesters learn they’re going to be grandparents; or
- people win extravagant prizes or prestigious awards?
In these sorts of situations, you almost have to threaten people to get them to share their good news, right?
What a dumb question!
Good news is impossible not to share.
The New Testament word translated “gospel” (derived from the Anglo-Saxon word godspell) means “good news” or “glad tidings”. In Greek it’s euangelion, from which we get our English terms evangelism and evangelist.
In ancient times, kings would dispatch heralds to announce the glad tidings of a royal birth or the good news of a victory in battle. In modern times, some companies hire brand evangelists to talk up their products or services.
In a real sense, many of our posts on social media are nothing more than us sharing a gospel, the announcement of a great vacation, a delicious meal, or an accomplishment by one of our kids.
Turns out we’re naturally gifted at sharing good news.
The four gospels of the New Testament are royal announcements from the kingdom of heaven, delivered by the evangelists we know as Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. They proclaim the birth of a humble but glorious king named Jesus. They chronicle His extraordinary life; His compassion for the broken; His power over sin, disease, nature, evil spirits, and even death itself. They trumpet His sacrificial death for the sinners He loves, and His astonishing victory over the grave. They unashamedly announce His offer of forgiveness and life, new life, eternal life, abundant life, to all who will put their trust in Him.
This good news is the gospel that needs to be announced to all the nations.
If we’re tight-lipped when it comes to talking about who Jesus is and what He has done, the obvious question is, why? We’re not mum about any other good news.
Ask God to help you see the gospel of Jesus in a fresh light. Maybe ake a few mornings to prayerfully and carefully reread one of the four gospels. As you do, make David’s heartfelt prayer: “Restore to me the joy of your salvation” (Psalm 51:12) your own.
Why is that important? Because we instinctively, automatically talk about things that spark joy in us.
Questions to Ponder
- How would you summarize the gospel of Jesus?
- Why do you think so many Christians are so tight-lipped when it comes to sharing the good news of Christ?
No Thought Police 