The Gospel means “good news.” It is the good news that even though God would be completely just to leave us to our own sinful devices and judge us for our rebellion, He has not given up on His creation. In love, God sent His Son on a mission: to usher in His kingdom (Mark 1:14-15). His kingdom is the spiritual reality that we enter into when we turn to Jesus as our Savior and King. Yet, Jesus’ kingdom doesn’t come about through power and conquest. It comes through a bloody sacrifice, by which Jesus lays down His life for His enemies (ie. us) and makes us His friends (Mark 10:45; 2 Cor. 5:19). The kingdom comes through a cross.

Yet, it doesn’t stop there! Jesus got up from the grave! Through His resurrection and victory over death, He has begun the new creation that begins right now in those who turn to Him in faith and repentance (2 Cor. 5:17; Rom. 6:1-4), and will be brought to completion when He returns (1 Cor. 15; Rev. 21-22).

The good news is that, because of what Christ has done, our sins can be forgiven; our shame can be erased; we can have hope; we can know God’s love, and have eternal life with Him now and forever. This is good news that comes to us at amazing cost to God – “For God loved the world in this way: He gave His One and Only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). It is a gift that we cannot earn. Will you receive it?