i stumbled my way through a generic answer interspersed with nervous laughter, because even as i uttered the words, i myself couldn't imagine anyone wanting a part of "the gospel" i described. (i said that "the gospel", when used in church settings, like the one we were discussing, most commonly means the Jesus story... that Jesus came to earth, lived as fully man, and fully God, died on a cross for our sins, and rose from the dead for our redemption.").
And while that answer maybe factually correct, something didn't sit right with me... i heard myself saying it, and it sounded like a distant fairy tale, something that happened thousands of years ago that has no impact on us today, except to accept this story intellectually.
But i dont believe that the gospel is limited to that... the gospel is alive, it's powerful, it changes people, it gives us hope to live for something much larger than ourselves.
The gospel is "the good news" of Jesus Christ, but not just the salvation story (coming, dying, and raising to life), but the good news of Jesus' life, and the things Jesus brought to earth (symbolically and physically).
Just before Jesus was born, Mary went to visit her cousin Elizabeth and said:
"My soul exalts the Lord,
47And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.
48"For He has had regard for the humble state of His bondslave;
For behold, from this time on all generations will count me blessed.
49"For the Mighty One has done great things for me;
And holy is His name.
50"and His mercy is upon generation after generation
toward those who fear him.
51"He has done mighty deeds with His arm;
He has scattered those who were proud in the thoughts of their heart.
52"He has brought down rulers from their thrones,
And has exalted those who were humble.
53"He has filled the hungry with good things;
And sent away the rich empty-handed.
54"He has given help to Israel His servant,
In remembrance of His mercy,
55As He spoke to our fathers,
To Abraham and his descendants forever." (Luke 1:46-55)
Mary spoke of the God who comes to establish the Kingdom of Heaven through the child in her womb.
As Jesus began his ministry, he proclaimed these words about himself in the temple that corroborates Mary's song:
16He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. And he stood up to read. 17The scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written:
18"The Spirit of the Lord is on me,
because he has anointed me
to preach good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
and recovery of sight for the blind,
to release the oppressed,
19to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor."
20Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him, 21and he began by saying to them, "Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing."(Luke 4:16-20).
Jesus confirms Mary's song, and says with his own lips, that Jesus has come to fulfill this scripture. That Jesus will
"preach good news to the poor"
"proclaim freedom for the prisoners"
"recovery of sight for the blind"
"release the oppressed", and
"proclaim the year of the Lord's favor".
This is why Jesus came. He came to embody freedom, reconciliation, healing, wholeness, and to teach us how to be good to one another. This is the Good News of Jesus Christ, the ushering in of the Kingdom of God. This is the gospel.
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