[217 words]
The word gospel means “news that brings joy.” We often refer to it as “good news.” Writing about how gospel was used in the first century, Tim Keller provides this insight:
A gospel was news of some event that changed things in a meaningful way. It could be an ascension to the throne, or it could be a victory. When Greece was invaded by Persia and the Greeks won the great battles of Marathon and Solnus, they sent heralds (or evangelists) who proclaimed the good news to the cities: “We have fought.for you, we have won, and now you’re no longer slaves; you’re free.”
The news that brings the greatest joy is this: “Jesus lives!” It is the news that brings us hope. In fact, it is the news upon which our hope is based. Paul wrote, “If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied. But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep” (1 Cor. 15:19-20).
Like those ancient heralds, Our Lord says, “I have fought for you, I have won.” Let us reply, “thanks be to God, Who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Cor. 15:57).
Bart Warren
S. Green St. church of Christ
Glasgow, KY