We look today and tomorrow at two formative texts for seeing what Jesus means by “gospel”. Today we begin with Mark 1:14-15, a text that is comprehensive.
Mark 1:14 Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God, 15 and saying, ???The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news.???
1. The gospel is something announced: “preached.”
3. The gospel is about the kingdom of God being near or in the process of realizing itself or on the verge of arriving … however you read this. One of the big issues here is the partial but not complete arrival of the kingdom in Jesus.
4. The gospel implies two kinds of response: turning from sin and self to Jesus and believing in him and his message about the good news of the kingdom.
5. Once again: Jesus’ gospel is a kingdom gospel.