The Best News
Many years ago on a trip with my family, Andrew and I went out for a bike ride and on which he proposed to me. It was such an awesome moment and I couldn’t wait to find my family and tell them. I had good news. It was news that changed my life forever and good news that would change their lives forever too! We were all going to be family!
My parents of course were so happy, got teary eyed, hugged us, shook our hands. They had been hoping and waiting for that news for a few weeks and they were so happy to finally hear it. My brother heard and was glad, but was busy with his own kids and after a quick congratulations walked away. My sister Jenn couldn’t believe it. She was shocked. She was happy for me, but it just didn’t seem real to her. My other sister almost cut off my hand as I tried to tell her, resisting what I had to say and trying to ignore me. I had good news to share with others, I couldn’t wait to tell them no matter how they might respond.
In my line of work, I interview teenagers who want to volunteer with younger students. In the interviews I had to ask some important questions, but the most important one is this: What is the gospel?
You may know that the word “gospel” means good news. But what is this good news? Who is it about and who is it for, and how are you going to respond to it?
When you hear the “Gospel of John” or the “Gospel of Luke” really you should think to yourself “this is the good news about what Jesus has done for the world as told by John/Luke”
The gospel is about Jesus and the gift of life that he offers to anyone who will believe. John 3:16 is the gospel, what is John 3:16?
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)
Other places in the Bible describe the good news too. In Paul’s second letter to Timothy, which was one of the last letters Paul ever wrote in his life, he wrote to Timothy from prison. In his first chapter, Paul is going to remind Timothy about the good news, he says “Don’t be worried about me, don’t be scared of how others respond to the gospel, just go and share it!” He writes,
“For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner. Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God. He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace.”
(2 Timothy 1:7-9)
Why have we been told the good news? Because of His purpose and grace.
“This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.”
(2 Timothy 1:9-10)
How has Jesus brought life? Through the good news of what he has done. Jesus Christ, who was before the beginning of time God, came to earth as a man, lived a perfect life without sin (although he was tempted), he took our terrible things and punishment upon himself as he died on the cross in our place, then He went to hell, and was resurrected to life 3 days later. The good news doesn’t stop there because God gives us the Holy Spirit to help us in this present life and because Jesus lives again He has prepared to bring us into eternal life and joy.
The good news is about what God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit have done for anyone who believes. The good news is for everyone who will believe it! The good news I get to share is that Jesus took my place for all the wrong things I ever did and all the good things I did for the wrong reasons. The good news I get to share is that I have hope that the Holy Spirit is with me and that someday I will be in heaven one day with the Savior of the world. I want you to consider, is this good news to you? If it is, how can you share it with others? No matter how my family responded to mine and Andrew’s good news, I had to share it with them! No matter how you think other people will respond to the gospel, if you believe it’s good news you have to share it!
