What is the Gospel of Jesus

What is the Gospel of Jesus?

The term “Gospel” is central to the Christian faith, embodying the “good news” of salvation through Jesus Christ. This message, rooted in Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection, reveals God’s love and grace, offering humanity a path to reconciliation with Him. As expressed in John 3:16 (NKJV), “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” At its core, the Gospel is about God’s desire for a personal relationship with each of us, a relationship accessible through faith in Jesus.

The Gospel isn’t just about individual salvation. It calls us to live transformed lives, marked by love, compassion, humility, and justice. Jesus’ teachings reveal God’s heart and the values He invites us to embody, leading us to share this message of hope and reconciliation with others. In Matthew 28:19-20 (NKJV), Jesus commands, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,” underscoring the Gospel’s role in the Christian mission.

This article will explore the purpose and meaning of the Gospel, the good news Jesus preached, and the core values He exemplified, inviting us to live in a way that reflects His love and grace.

What is the Purpose of the Gospels?

The four Gospels—Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John—serve as foundational accounts of Jesus’ life, teachings, miracles, death, and resurrection. Together, they provide a comprehensive understanding of who Jesus is, inviting readers into a transformative relationship with Him.

• Matthew: Written with a Jewish audience in mind, Matthew emphasises Jesus as the fulfilment of Old Testament prophecies and portrays Him as the Messiah. It highlights Jesus’ teachings, particularly in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5–7), which reveals His moral and ethical principles.

• Mark: Known for its concise, action-focused style, Mark presents Jesus as a powerful servant, showcasing His authority over nature, evil, and sickness. Mark’s narrative brings readers into the urgency of Jesus’ ministry, illustrating both His divinity and humanity.

• Luke: With a compassionate perspective, Luke underscores Jesus’ concern for the marginalised and the importance of prayer. Including parables like the Good Samaritan and the Prodigal Son, Luke reveals God’s grace and love for all people.

• John: John offers a deeply theological perspective, presenting Jesus as the Word made flesh and revealing His divine relationship with the Father. John’s account emphasises the spiritual significance of Jesus’ mission, culminating in His sacrificial death and resurrection.

Together, these Gospels affirm Jesus as Saviour and Lord, depicting how His life and teachings fulfil God’s redemptive plan. They are not only historical records but theological guides, inspiring faith and providing a moral framework for believers. As John 20:31 (NKJV) explains, “But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.”

What is the Good News that Jesus Preached?

The heart of Jesus’ message is the Kingdom of God—a transformative relationship with God marked by love, grace, and redemption. Jesus presented the Kingdom as a present reality for those willing to embrace God’s reign and a future hope that promises restoration and eternal life.

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus redefined expectations by emphasizing humility, mercy, and righteousness (Matthew 5–7 NKJV). He taught that the Kingdom belongs to the “poor in spirit” and those who “hunger and thirst for righteousness” (Matthew 5:3, 6 NKJV), illustrating that entry into God’s Kingdom is based not on status or achievement but on a heart that seeks God.

Jesus’ teachings are deeply intertwined with His sacrificial love and promise of redemption. He came to fulfil the law and offered Himself as a sacrifice for humanity’s sins, restoring our broken relationship with God. As He declared in John 14:6 (NKJV), “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” Through faith in Christ, we gain access to the Father and the gift of eternal life.

Ultimately, Jesus’ message assures us that despite life’s brokenness, we can be reconciled to God and look forward to a future where His Kingdom is fully realised. Revelation 21:4 (NKJV) beautifully captures this hope: “And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying.” Jesus invites us into a relationship defined by grace and hope, urging us to align our lives with God’s will and to share this transformative message with others.

What are the Gospel Values?

The Gospel not only offers salvation but also guides us in values that reflect God’s heart. Jesus’ teachings highlight four core values: Love and Compassion, Humility and Service, Forgiveness and Mercy, and Justice and Peace.

Love and Compassion

Jesus emphasised love for God and others as the foundation of all commandments. When asked about the greatest commandment, He replied, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind… And… you shall love your neighbour as yourself” (Matthew 22:36-40 NKJV). This response shows that true obedience is rooted in love.

Throughout His ministry, Jesus exemplified compassion, especially toward the marginalised and those in need. He reached out to the poor, the sick, and societal outcasts, demonstrating that love is active and inclusive. In John 13:34-35 (NKJV), He commanded His followers, “Love one another; as I have loved you.” The parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37) illustrates this, showing that compassion should transcend societal boundaries.

In essence, Jesus’ teachings and life underscore that love for God and others is paramount, calling us to embody compassion in our lives.

Humility and Service

Jesus modelled humility and service, teaching that true greatness is found in serving others. One of the most profound examples is when He washed His disciples’ feet, a task usually reserved for the lowest servant (John 13:13-17 NKJV). This act demonstrated a deeper truth about humility and serving others.

In Matthew 20:26-28 (NKJV), Jesus taught, “Whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant… just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve.” He calls us to selflessness, urging us to honour His example and embrace a life of humble service, contributing to others’ well-being.

Forgiveness and Mercy

Jesus’ teachings on forgiveness emphasise the importance of extending grace to others as we have received it from God. In the Parable of the Unforgiving Servant (Matthew 18:21-35 NKJV), a servant who is forgiven a huge debt refuses to forgive another’s small debt. This parable illustrates that our willingness to forgive reflects our understanding of God’s mercy.

Jesus said, “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you” (Matthew 6:14-15 NKJV), underscoring that forgiveness is essential in our relationship with God. Forgiveness allows us to experience healing and freedom, both for ourselves and those we forgive.

Justice and Peace

The Gospels reveal God’s heart for justice and peace, reflecting His concern for the oppressed and His desire for reconciliation. Jesus championed the marginalized, declaring His mission to “set at liberty those who are oppressed” (Luke 4:18-19 NKJV). This declaration embodies God’s desire to bring justice and healing to those in need.

Jesus also taught that reconciliation is essential to living in harmony, instructing His followers to resolve conflicts as a reflection of God’s love (Matthew 5:23-24 NKJV). Through parables like the Good Samaritan, He challenges us to act justly and extend compassion to others, especially those who are vulnerable.

As followers of Christ, we are called to be instruments of justice and peace in a world that desperately needs it, embodying His love in our communities.

Conclusion

The Gospel of Jesus is more than a message of personal salvation; it is a call to live transformed lives that reflect God’s love, compassion, humility, and justice. Through His teachings and example, Jesus invites us into a relationship with God that not only changes us but also calls us to influence the world around us with His love.

As we embrace the Gospel, let us strive to embody its values—loving and serving others, extending forgiveness, and pursuing justice and peace. In doing so, we fulfil Jesus’ command to be lights in a world in need of hope and healing. The Gospel remains a living message that continues to change lives, calling each of us to join in God’s redemptive work on earth.

May we accept this invitation, allowing the Gospel to transform our lives and inspire us to share its hope with others.