The gospel is the message of the Cross

We will now look at the Christian keyword - faith – or to believe. It is so important to understand that the Christian faith or the act of believing is not self-suggestion, nor mental or psychological techniques, but rather a simple trust in the message of the gospel. In Hebrew 6:1 we are told that faith in God is part of the Christian foundation. Jesus taught us to believe the gospel because in the gospel we find the revelation of who God is. No one has ever seen God, but Jesus Christ, the Son of God, has made him known to us through his teaching, his life and his death (John 1:18). After this week’s teaching you should be able to explain the message of the gospel in your own words.

«The time has come. The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news.» (Mark 1:15)

Evangelion is a Greek word which means ‘the glad message’ or simply ‘good news’. In English we use the word ‘gospel’. The good news Jesus proclaimed was often called ‘the gospel of the kingdom’ or ‘the good news of the kingdom of God’.

We have already seen that the old prophets spoke about a time when God’s rule or kingdom would come on earth with righteousness and peace, salvation and release, through the Saviour-King, Messiah/Christ. The gospel is therefore bound up with what God does for us, mankind, in Jesus Christ.

John the Baptist, the greatest of all the prophets, was sent to prepare the way for the Saviour and prepare the people for the coming of Jesus so that they could receive him:

The next day John saw Jesus coming towards him and said, «Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!» (John 1.29)

Their thoughts went straight to the Passover lamb that was killed to make atonement for the people. The first time the Passover lamb was killed was when they were freed from slavery in Egypt. This sacrifice had now been going on for centuries. An innocent lamb had to die to cover the sins of the people. These offerings went on, year after year, but could not cleanse away sin. The blood of bulls, goats and lambs cannot possibly take away man’s sin. The prophet spoke about the Messiah/Christ who would come and take upon himself all sin and punishment and reconcile men to God:

Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way, and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. (Is.53:4-6)

Yet it was the Lord’s will to crush him and cause him to suffer, and though the Lord makes his life a guilt offering, he will see his offspring and prolong his days, and the will of the Lord will prosper in his hand. After the suffering of his soul he will see the light of life and be satisfied; by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many, and he will bear their iniquities. (Is.53:10-11)

The gospel is the message of the cross

Jesus was the lamb of God who took away all the sin of the world. This happened when he gave his life on the cross. Jesus’ crucifixion on Calvary was central to God’s plan of salvation as the prophets had preached it. Jesus’ death was not a sad accident but was planned by God before the world was created. God’s plan of salvation was ready before sin was a reality!

But this is how God fulfilled what he had foretold through all the prophets, saying that his Christ would suffer. (Acts 3:18)

The message of the cross is good news for humanity. It is the message we Christians have to proclaim even though many times it will not be understood:

For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. (1 Cor.1:18)

But we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. (1 Cor.1:23-24)

Exercise:

Explain in your own words in a few sentences what the gospel is

Memorise this Bible verse together with the previous verses:

But God proves his love for us in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us. (Rom.5:8)