The gospel is "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 Cor. 15) We must put this good news in the context of the bigger story of the entire Bible, which again has four major plot movements: Creation, Fall, Redemption, and Restoration. Last week we saw that God created a perfect world for humanity to live in where they would live in perfect harmony with God, the creation, each other, and with themselves (Creation). Then we saw how this harmony was destroyed by Adam and Eve disobeying God's word, and so now everyone is separated from God and headed toward both physical and spiritual death(The Fall). And we left off asking, "Where is the hope?"
Redemption
In the face of the bad news of the Fall God begins the work of bringing humanity back to him through the promise of a Savior that is to come. The first time we see this promise is in Gen. 3:15 where God promises that one of Eve's children will smash the head of the serpent, but as you read the Old Testament we constantly see promise of this Savior that was coming. But who is this Savior?
The Savior is none other than God himself! God came into history 2,000 years ago in the person of Jesus Christ. Unlike the rest of humanity Jesus lived a perfect life never disobeying the Father's commands, and his death was a substitute for us to rescue us from sin and Satan. See Jesus voluntarily died on a tortuous Roman cross where the Father poured out all of his anger on Jesus for our sins in the most beautiful display of grace and mercy. Jesus took our place on a cross that we deserved to pay for sins we have committed and will commit against God.
The news just gets better because the grave could not hold Jesus and he rose from the dead fulfilling his mission on earth. On the cross Jesus defeated sin by crushing the head of Satan, and then by raising from the dead he defeated the power of death on us all. Forty days after his resurrection Jesus returned to heaven where he reigns as King of all creation.
Restoration
The good news does not end there though for those who trust in Jesus as their Savior, because God has promised that he will make all things new. God will rid the world of sin, their will be no more pain, no more sickness, and no more death! The best news though is that we will be with our Savior who created, loved, and died for us for all of eternity. Rev. 21 captures it best, "And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”
All you have to do to be a part of this story is to put your trust in Jesus as the only way that you can be saved from your sins and the punishment we all deserve. By doing this you become a son or daughter of God, and He is now your Father and your King. Those who do not put their trust in Jesus are also a part of this story, but they will have to take the punishment for their sins separated from God in Hell.
Well, hopefully now you have better understanding of the gospel and why it is such great news for everyone who puts their trust in Jesus. If you have any questions please let me know.
Sources:
The Story
Ashford, Bruce. Theology and Practice of Mission: God, the Church, and the Nations. Nashvile: B&H Publishing, 2011. Print.
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