The recent sermons I’ve been preaching and the corresponding discussions I’ve been having, have had me thinking a lot about “the Gospel” lately. I’ve been talking about God’s love for us, our love for God, and how we respond to God’s love for us by loving others. The imaginary critic I hear in my head (based on actual critics) when I talk about things like love, generosity and service is “Just stick to the Gospel.” To which I automatically answer back (to this imaginary voice): “Which Gospel?”
The reality is that based on your religious experience and tradition, “the Gospel” means different things. For me, growing up, the Gospel was that “Jesus died for our sins and rose from the dead so that we can go to heaven.” It was strictly a Gospel of salvation. This is the Gospel I think my imaginary voices are talking about when they say “Just stick to the Gospel.” But the Gospel is so much more than just getting a free ride to heaven. The Gospel of Jesus is not simply a Gospel of salvation. Yes, that’s part of it, but it’s not the sum of it. The Gospel according to Jesus is a Gospel of the Kingdom.
“Gospel” literally means “good news.” Matthew 4:23 says “Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people.” (NIV)
First, this is the very start of Jesus’ ministry, so the Gospel can’t merely be about “dying and rising.” He’s not dead yet (said in a Monty Python-esque voice)!
Second, Matthew says explicitly that Jesus preached the “good news of the kingdom.” The Good News is that the “Kingdom of heaven is near.” This is the Gospel that Jesus preached (Matt. 4:17) and that he instructed his disciples to preach (Matt. 10:7).
Third, the good news of the kingdom is accompanied by healing. Jesus didn’t just preach, he healed. He didn’t just speak, he acted. He ministered to the physical needs of people as a necessary component of the Gospel of the Kingdom.
Fourth, a further examination of the Gospels (the written accounts) reveals that Jesus’ primary method of teaching was parables. And the primary topic of parables was the Kingdom. It seems to me that perhaps this “Kingdom business” is pretty important stuff.
Here are five comparison/contrasts between a “Gospel of salvation” and the “Gospel of the kingdom.”
- A Gospel of salvation preaches that Jesus just lived to die (“Just hurry up and die, Jesus” as one of my friends puts it). The Gospel of the Kingdom realizes that Jesus also came to teach us how to live (John 10:10).
- A Gospel of salvation preaches that becoming a Christian is about getting to heaven. The Gospel of the Kingdom shows us that being a Christian is about participating in God’s Kingdom (Matt. 13:33).
- A Gospel of salvation ministers to souls. The Gospel of the Kingdom ministers to the whole person (Luke 4:16-21).
- A Gospel of salvation preaches that Jesus came to reconcile us to God. The Gospel of the Kingdom teaches that Jesus also came to reconcile people to one another (Ephesians 2:11-18).
- A Gospel of salvation is primarily verbal. The Gospel of the Kingdom supports words with action (James 2:14-20).
When we share with a friend the hope that is found in Jesus Christ, that is the Gospel.
When we feed the hungry, house the homeless, clothe the naked, care for the sick, and visit the prisoners, that is the Gospel.
The Gospel includes salvation, but it is so much more.
And that is good news, indeed.
